Netflix has just released a true crime documentary called Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey, which is looking again at the cold case. As the death of JonBenét was never solved, there have been many theories about what might have happened to her.
The JonBenét Ramsey case started on Boxing Day of 1996, when her parents awoke to find their daughter missing, and a chilling ransom note in her place. Her father, John Ramsey, then discovered six-year-old JonBenét’s body in the basement, and it was later revealed she had been sexually assaulted and brutally murdered in the family home.
28 years later, and the case remains unsolved. But, there have been a number of theories about who may have killed JonBenét Ramsey, and some suspects over the years.
So, who killed JonBenét Ramsey? All the theories explained
Straight after the news of JonBenét’s death, there was a media frenzy. It was said local police had never dealt with a case this big, so were hoping to get it solved quickly. There were two main theories: Her family were involved, or it was a house intruder.
Suspicion was turned straight onto the Ramsey family. The main reason the family were looked at was because JonBenét was found inside her own home, and there was a suspicious ransom note. Police theorised the note may have been staged. The note was long, and was written in a pen and from paper from within the house.
As well as this, the sum of money asked for reportedly matched the figure JonBenét’s father John had recently had in a work bonus. This made people think it was at the very least someone who knew the family well, and would know the amount of money they had at that time.
JonBenét’s parents John and Patsy, and her brother Burke – who was just nine at the time – were all questioned by police. However, they were never officially named as suspects, due to a lack of evidence.
via Netflix
There were also theories that an intruder into the home was responsible. The main evidence that backed this was a boot print found next to the body. This didn’t match any family members. Plus, DNA from an unknown male was found on her underwear, and there was a broken window in the basement. This window may have been a point of entry for someone outside the house.
Two people actually confessed to the murder
Two people have said they were who killed JonBenét Ramsey, but both have been dismissed. School teacher John Mark Karr and sex offender Gary Oliva both said they committed the crime.
John Mark Karr was arrested in 2006 after confessing to the murder. He said he drugged and sexually assaulted JonBenét, before killing her accidentally. However this was found to be a false confession. There was no evidence linking him to the scene, nor were any drugs found in her system. Karr’s confession only included basic info about the crime, which was already public.
via Netflix
In 2019 Gary Oliva also confessed. In a series of letters and poems, he too said the death was an accident. Despite making the confession to a former school classmate, who he rang on the day of JonBenét’s death, he was cleared by DNA evidence.
