Nearly 29 years after JonBenét Ramsey was found dead in her Boulder, Colorado, home, police say the investigation remains a top priority as advances in DNA technology offer renewed hope for solving one of America’s most infamous cold cases.
Boulder Police Department released its annual update on Dec. 12, 2025, with Chief Stephen Redfearn announcing that detectives have conducted new interviews and collected new evidence in the ongoing investigation. The chief cited advances in DNA technology as a key factor in the department’s renewed commitment to solving the case.
The investigation dates back to Dec. 26, 1996, when 6-year-old JonBenét was found dead in the basement of her family’s home. A ransom note had been found on the stairs demanding $118,000. The cause of death was determined to be strangulation associated with head trauma.
Investigators discovered unknown DNA under JonBenét’s fingernails and in her underwear, evidence that has taken on new significance as forensic testing capabilities have evolved dramatically in recent decades.
“This past year, our detectives have conducted several new interviews as well as re-interviewed individuals based on tips we’ve received,” Redfearn said in his video statement. “We have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads.”
The chief emphasized that the case remains a top priority for the department and urged people to come forward with information. Police maintain a suspect list of 700 people compiled by late homicide investigator Lou Smit over the years of the investigation.
John Ramsey, JonBenét’s father, met with police in January and expressed optimism about the department’s renewed efforts under new leadership. He told media outlets that he has been impressed with Chief Stephen Redfearn after meeting with him multiple times.
John Ramsey also expressed hope that the Boulder Police Department would partner with Othram Labs, an investigative genetic analysis company. He noted the company’s recent work on the Bryan Kohberger investigation as an example of how advanced DNA technology can help solve complex cases.
The case has remained unsolved for nearly 30 years, with no one charged with the murder despite intense public interest and investigation. The Ramseys were cleared as suspects in 2008, two years after Patsy Ramsey died in 2006. Burke Ramsey, JonBenét’s brother, who was 9 years old at the time of her death, has also been cleared.
Police have not disclosed specific details about what new evidence has been collected or who has been interviewed or re-interviewed as part of the latest investigative push. The department’s decision to withhold these details reflects standard investigative practice in active homicide cases.
The tragic case began when JonBenét was reported missing from her Boulder home. Her body was discovered later that same day during a more extensive search of the residence. She was buried at a cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.
The ransom note found in the Ramsey home has been a focal point of the investigation for decades. The note demanded $118,000, adding to the mystery surrounding the case.
The Boulder Police Department has encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact their tip line. The department emphasizes that even small pieces of information could prove valuable to investigators.
The case has generated widespread public interest over the years, spawning numerous documentaries, true crime podcasts, and conspiracy theories. This sustained attention has led Boulder police to provide annual updates on their investigative progress.
Chief Redfearn emphasized in his statement that he has met with the Ramsey family and assured them that the department shares their goal of finding and bringing JonBenét’s killer to justice. The chief’s public commitment represents a significant shift in the department’s communication about the case.
The evolution of DNA testing technology has breathed new life into many cold cases across the country in recent years. Techniques that were unavailable or underdeveloped in 1996 now enable investigators to extract and analyze genetic material from smaller samples and from degraded evidence.
Lou Smit, a homicide detective who worked on the case, compiled an extensive list of potential suspects. His investigative work continues to inform current efforts to solve the murder.
The Boulder Police Department’s latest update comes as the case approaches the three-decade mark since JonBenét’s death. While investigators remain tight-lipped about specific developments, the combination of new evidence collection, fresh interviews, and advancing DNA technology has created what many observers see as the most promising investigative momentum in years.