Topline: Police say the JonBenét Ramsey investigation remains active, with new interviews and forensic testing conducted over the past year.
Published: December 16, 2025 10:00 am ET
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JonBenét Ramsey (via Boulder Police)
BOULDER, CO — As the anniversary of JonBenét Ramsey’s killing approaches, Boulder police say the nearly three-decade-old case remains at the forefront of the department’s work, with investigators continuing to pursue new leads generated by evolving forensic technology and fresh tips from the public.
According to the Boulder Police Department’s annual investigative update, detectives over the past year have conducted several new interviews and re-interviewed individuals connected to the case based on incoming information. Police have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested existing material in an effort to develop new leads, a process authorities say is increasingly shaped by advances in DNA technology.
“Last year we gave you an update about a lot of the work that has been done to solve this crime and those efforts have continued. This case remains a top priority for our department,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said, according to the department. “This past year, our detectives have conducted several new interviews as well as re-interviewed individuals based on tips we’ve received. We have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads. Techniques and technology constantly evolve. This is especially true with technology related to DNA testing.”
The update, echoed in reporting by KUSA and WDBJ, did not include details about the new evidence collected or the individuals interviewed, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Police emphasized that the lack of public specifics does not reflect a slowdown, noting instead that the case continues to receive sustained attention.
JonBenét Ramsey was 6 years old when she was reported missing from her family’s home in the 700 block of 15th Street in Boulder on the morning of Dec. 26, 1996. Hours later, her father, John Ramsey, found her body in the basement of the house. An autopsy later determined she had been strangled, sexually assaulted and suffered a fractured skull. Investigators also found unknown DNA under her fingernails and in her underwear, according to information summarized by USA Today.
Since the murder, Boulder police say they have followed up on every lead provided to the department, reviewing more than 21,000 tips, letters and emails and traveling to 19 states to interview or speak with more than 1,000 people connected to the case. According to the police department’s information page, the investigation has been under constant review with federal, state and local partners, including the FBI, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and multiple outside forensic laboratories.
“The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts,” Redfearn said in a statement published by the department. “We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
District Attorney Michael Dougherty, whose office has been involved in reviewing the case, stressed that evidence remains the key to any resolution. “The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and sparked years of unanswered questions and theories,” Dougherty said, according to the department. “In every one of those cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it is DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder.”
The Ramsey family, including JonBenét’s older brother, was formally cleared as suspects in 2008 after DNA testing, according to ABC News.
JonBenét’s mother, Patsy Ramsey, died in 2006. Redfearn, who joined the Boulder Police Department in 2021 and became chief in 2024, said he has met with the Ramsey family and told them they share the same goal of identifying the person responsible for the killing.
“It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward, and I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us,” Redfearn said in a prerecorded video released by the department and cited by multiple outlets.
Because the case remains open, Boulder police say they cannot comment on specific aspects of the investigation or grant interviews about details. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to contact detectives at BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov
or the Boulder Police tip line at 303-441-1974.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Will New Evidence and DNA Testing Finally Crack the JonBenét Ramsey Case?
Police say the JonBenét Ramsey investigation remains active, with new interviews and forensic testing conducted over the past year.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 16, 2025 10:00 am ET
JonBenét Ramsey (via Boulder Police)
BOULDER, CO — As the anniversary of JonBenét Ramsey’s killing approaches, Boulder police say the nearly three-decade-old case remains at the forefront of the department’s work, with investigators continuing to pursue new leads generated by evolving forensic technology and fresh tips from the public.
According to the Boulder Police Department’s annual investigative update, detectives over the past year have conducted several new interviews and re-interviewed individuals connected to the case based on incoming information. Police have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested existing material in an effort to develop new leads, a process authorities say is increasingly shaped by advances in DNA technology.
“Last year we gave you an update about a lot of the work that has been done to solve this crime and those efforts have continued. This case remains a top priority for our department,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said, according to the department. “This past year, our detectives have conducted several new interviews as well as re-interviewed individuals based on tips we’ve received. We have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads. Techniques and technology constantly evolve. This is especially true with technology related to DNA testing.”
The update, echoed in reporting by KUSA and WDBJ, did not include details about the new evidence collected or the individuals interviewed, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Police emphasized that the lack of public specifics does not reflect a slowdown, noting instead that the case continues to receive sustained attention.
JonBenét Ramsey was 6 years old when she was reported missing from her family’s home in the 700 block of 15th Street in Boulder on the morning of Dec. 26, 1996. Hours later, her father, John Ramsey, found her body in the basement of the house. An autopsy later determined she had been strangled, sexually assaulted and suffered a fractured skull. Investigators also found unknown DNA under her fingernails and in her underwear, according to information summarized by USA Today.
Since the murder, Boulder police say they have followed up on every lead provided to the department, reviewing more than 21,000 tips, letters and emails and traveling to 19 states to interview or speak with more than 1,000 people connected to the case. According to the police department’s information page, the investigation has been under constant review with federal, state and local partners, including the FBI, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and multiple outside forensic laboratories.
“The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts,” Redfearn said in a statement published by the department. “We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
District Attorney Michael Dougherty, whose office has been involved in reviewing the case, stressed that evidence remains the key to any resolution. “The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and sparked years of unanswered questions and theories,” Dougherty said, according to the department. “In every one of those cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it is DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder.”
The Ramsey family, including JonBenét’s older brother, was formally cleared as suspects in 2008 after DNA testing, according to ABC News.
JonBenét’s mother, Patsy Ramsey, died in 2006. Redfearn, who joined the Boulder Police Department in 2021 and became chief in 2024, said he has met with the Ramsey family and told them they share the same goal of identifying the person responsible for the killing.
“It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward, and I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us,” Redfearn said in a prerecorded video released by the department and cited by multiple outlets.
Because the case remains open, Boulder police say they cannot comment on specific aspects of the investigation or grant interviews about details. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to contact detectives at BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov
or the Boulder Police tip line at 303-441-1974.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Will New Evidence and DNA Testing Finally Crack the JonBenét Ramsey Case?
Police say the JonBenét Ramsey investigation remains active, with new interviews and forensic testing conducted over the past year.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 16, 2025 10:00 am ET
JonBenét Ramsey (via Boulder Police)
BOULDER, CO — As the anniversary of JonBenét Ramsey’s killing approaches, Boulder police say the nearly three-decade-old case remains at the forefront of the department’s work, with investigators continuing to pursue new leads generated by evolving forensic technology and fresh tips from the public.
According to the Boulder Police Department’s annual investigative update, detectives over the past year have conducted several new interviews and re-interviewed individuals connected to the case based on incoming information. Police have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested existing material in an effort to develop new leads, a process authorities say is increasingly shaped by advances in DNA technology.
“Last year we gave you an update about a lot of the work that has been done to solve this crime and those efforts have continued. This case remains a top priority for our department,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said, according to the department. “This past year, our detectives have conducted several new interviews as well as re-interviewed individuals based on tips we’ve received. We have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads. Techniques and technology constantly evolve. This is especially true with technology related to DNA testing.”
The update, echoed in reporting by KUSA and WDBJ, did not include details about the new evidence collected or the individuals interviewed, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Police emphasized that the lack of public specifics does not reflect a slowdown, noting instead that the case continues to receive sustained attention.
JonBenét Ramsey was 6 years old when she was reported missing from her family’s home in the 700 block of 15th Street in Boulder on the morning of Dec. 26, 1996. Hours later, her father, John Ramsey, found her body in the basement of the house. An autopsy later determined she had been strangled, sexually assaulted and suffered a fractured skull. Investigators also found unknown DNA under her fingernails and in her underwear, according to information summarized by USA Today.
Since the murder, Boulder police say they have followed up on every lead provided to the department, reviewing more than 21,000 tips, letters and emails and traveling to 19 states to interview or speak with more than 1,000 people connected to the case. According to the police department’s information page, the investigation has been under constant review with federal, state and local partners, including the FBI, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and multiple outside forensic laboratories.
“The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts,” Redfearn said in a statement published by the department. “We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
District Attorney Michael Dougherty, whose office has been involved in reviewing the case, stressed that evidence remains the key to any resolution. “The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and sparked years of unanswered questions and theories,” Dougherty said, according to the department. “In every one of those cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it is DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder.”
The Ramsey family, including JonBenét’s older brother, was formally cleared as suspects in 2008 after DNA testing, according to ABC News.
JonBenét’s mother, Patsy Ramsey, died in 2006. Redfearn, who joined the Boulder Police Department in 2021 and became chief in 2024, said he has met with the Ramsey family and told them they share the same goal of identifying the person responsible for the killing.
“It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward, and I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us,” Redfearn said in a prerecorded video released by the department and cited by multiple outlets.
Because the case remains open, Boulder police say they cannot comment on specific aspects of the investigation or grant interviews about details. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to contact detectives at BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov
or the Boulder Police tip line at 303-441-1974.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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