Netflix released a three-episode series titled “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey,” and it has sparked the media back into the case ever since. JonBenét Ramsey, a six-year-old American beauty pageant contestant, was tragically found dead the night of Dec. 25, 1996 in the basement of her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado.
The night before, Patsy Ramsey, the mother, called the police at 5 a.m. in a state of shock to share what had happened, claiming she had found a long handwritten ransom note, statin that if the family didn’t give them $118,000, they would kill their daughter. This oddly specific amount of money that was asked was the Christmas bonus John Ramsey, the father, had received a couple of days before.
This case did not make sense to many as the details that are all over the place, and unsure of what is correct.
Let’s jump into some theories VALLEY gathered from information and facts as to what could’ve happened.
The Pineapple Theory
In JonBenét’s autopsy, a yellow strong consistency was found, indicating it was a bowl of pineapple and milk that she may have eaten two hours before her death.
This led many people to scratch the intruder theory, as it wouldn’t make sense for the intruder to make her a snack that was known as a tradition in the Ramsey family.
Since the family was at a dinner party before, they asked the hosts if there was pineapple and milk provided, and they stated they couldn’t recall. Many people said she would have made it herself, but the pineapple was freshly cut, and a 6-year-old wouldn’t be able to do that. The family does not recall giving her the pineapple either. However, this theory is barely talked about in the documentary.
The Accident Theory
Others claim Burke Ramsey, the brother, got in a fight with her and accidentally pushed her, and JonBenét hit her head. The parents covered it up as they were trying to protect the family’s reputation. Patsy Ramsey wrote the ransom note, making it seem like it was an intruder that came in.
However, people question: if the girl hit her head, why didn’t they call the police right away and immediately think it was the cause of death? Conversely, once the father found the body the next morning in the basement, he brought the girl upstairs. That came off to some people as a normal reaction for a dad and to others as a dad ruining the crime scene.
The Intruder Theory
There are many suggestions to this theory. As JonBenét participated in pageants, she was exposed to all types of people. On the other hand, they had people that worked for them, such as a maid and a gardener, who knew the children.
When it comes to the ransom note asking for the exact amount of John Ramsey’s Christmas bonus, it could mean it was one of his colleagues who knew that type of information. In the autopsy, there were marks on her body suggested to be stun gun marks. On the other hand, in order to tie a garrote around her neck, someone professional would be needed, casting doubt on JonBenét’s family.
The intruder would have to come into the house and execute an almost improvised plan while being in the house, going up and down the stairs to carry JonBenét in the dark without anyone noticing, and writing their ransom note from the family’s home using their paper—which seems a little odd to people.
Overall, this case has not done JonBenét right, with many theories and facts but no exact conclusion.
Let @VALLEYmag know on X on your thoughts about the case!
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