The unsolved 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey continues to haunt the nation, particularly her father, John Ramsey, who believes a potential link exists between his daughter’s case and a separate, unsolved 1997 assault case in Boulder, Colorado. Both incidents involved young girls, and the second victim attended the same dance studio as JonBenet. The proximity of the two homes, a mere two miles apart, further fuels Ramsey’s suspicion. He criticizes the initial police investigation for dismissing the possible connection, arguing that the non-fatal nature of the second attack doesn’t preclude a link. Ramsey maintains that the modus operandi in both cases suggests the possibility of the same perpetrator.
The second incident, occurring on September 14, 1997, involved an unknown assailant breaking into the victim’s home and attacking her in her bedroom. The attack was interrupted by the victim’s mother, who heard whispering and confronted the intruder, causing him to flee through the daughter’s window. The victim’s father, in a 2004 interview with “48 Hours,” expressed his belief that the perpetrator had been hiding in the house for several hours before the family returned and set the burglar alarm, echoing Ramsey’s theory about his own daughter’s case. Both fathers perceive a chilling parallel between the two events and suspect the assailant may have been surveilling their families.
John Ramsey’s theory posits that the perpetrator entered the Ramsey home while the family was out for dinner, hid until they were asleep, and then attacked JonBenet. He draws a parallel to the second case, where the assailant was already inside the house when the family returned and set the alarm. This similarity in approach, Ramsey believes, strongly suggests a connection. He contends that the perpetrator’s method was to lie in wait inside the victims’ homes until the opportune moment arose.
Despite the seeming similarities and the concerns raised by both fathers, the Boulder Police Department has historically denied any connection between the two cases. In a 2000 statement, the police acknowledged awareness of the second assault and its potential link to JonBenet’s murder but stated that their investigation had not revealed any definitive connection. While acknowledging some similarities, they emphasized the differences between the two cases. However, then-Police Chief Mark Beckner added a caveat, stating that in their line of work, nothing can be definitively ruled out until all questions are answered.
Despite the official stance, the renewed interest in JonBenet’s case, spurred by a recent Netflix documentary, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey,” has brought the 1997 assault back into the spotlight. The documentary likely contributed to the renewed scrutiny of the potential connection between the two cases, reigniting public discussion and encouraging a re-examination of the evidence. John Ramsey’s persistent belief in a link, coupled with the documentary’s focus, has kept the possibility alive in the public consciousness.
The JonBenet Ramsey case remains a top priority for the Boulder Police Department, with Chief Stephen Redfearn, the fifth chief to oversee the investigation, reaffirming their commitment to solving the crime. The department continues to pursue leads, collaborating with federal agencies like the FBI and DNA experts nationwide. Despite the passage of 28 years, investigators have meticulously examined thousands of pieces of evidence and followed up on countless tips, demonstrating their ongoing dedication to bringing JonBenet’s killer to justice. The sheer volume of material reviewed underscores the complexity and enduring nature of the investigation.
