DENVER (KDVR) — The death of 6-year-old beauty pageant star JonBenét Ramsey, which has captivated many over the last nearly 30 years, has again caught people’s attention thanks to the newly released Netflix docuseries, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?”
Some of the claims made in the show, however, may not be what they seem, according to police.
The docuseries debuted on Nov. 25 on Netflix as an investigative series about JonBenét Ramsey, who was reported missing from her home in Boulder, Colorado, on Dec. 26, 1996. Her family later found her dead in the basement of their home.
One day after the series aired, Bolder Police posted an “annual update” on X. While the update usually comes in December, the department said this update came early “due to the increased attention on this investigation.”
Boulder Police speak on the JonBenét Ramsey case
While the department never mentioned the Netflix docuseries specifically, the post on X referred to many claims that were brought up in the three-episode documentary series.
The docuseries ultimately suggests many errors were made in the investigation, including faulty DNA evidence and false accusations of the girl’s family members. The series alludes to many possible suspects toward the end of the show and steps that should be taken next in the investigation.
“The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing—to include DNA testing—is completely false,” Boulder Police said.
While this claim has been made by many throughout the years, the department addresses another claim made by the series.
In Episode 3, the series said the following: “In 2023, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation assembled a panel of experts to conduct a cold case review of the JonBenét Ramsey murder.”
However, the Boulder police said differently.
“Additionally, it was the Boulder Police Department—not the Colorado Bureau of Investigation—who convened the Cold Case Review Panel in December 2023 as part of its investigation efforts,” said the department on X.
Boulder police also released a five-minute video about updates in the case, in which Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said the agency welcomes any documentary that brings attention to the case and hopes the recent attention will spark more tips.
Redfearn also said they had an open dialogue with the family and remain open-minded on the case.
JonBenét Ramsey case updates
As for the current investigation, Redfearn said the department is still working through tips that the cold case panel gave the department last year, but like any major investigation, the police can’t share any more with the public without compromising the case.
“So much of how law enforcement works has changed in the last 30 years. There are a number of things that people have pointed to throughout the years that could’ve been done better, and we acknowledge that is true. However, it is important to emphasize that while we cannot go back to that horrible day in 1996, our goal is to find JonBenét Ramsey’s killer,” said Redfearn.
The department said the homicide case can be reviewed on its website. Anyone with any information on the case can contact detectives at [email protected] or by calling the Boulder Police tipline at 303-441-1974.