John Ramsey, father of JonBenét Ramsey, responded vehemently to a recent report suggesting that Michael Dougherty, the current Boulder County District Attorney, would not have ruled the family out as suspects in the unsolved 1996 murder case. This comes after a statement Dougherty made, expressing he would have remained open to all possibilities if he had been in charge in 2008 when the family was cleared by the then DA, Mary Lacy.
Ramsey told Fox News Digital, “After 30 years, if they still think I am guilty, then please file charges, and we will settle this in court based on facts and evidence.” He criticized the handling of evidence, particularly the unknown male DNA found at the crime scene, which he says has been used selectively.
Dougherty declined to discuss the matter with Fox News Digital but indicated he would release a video to clarify his statements. He emphasized the importance of following evidence wherever it leads, without prematurely ruling anyone out in unsolved cases.
“If new evidence challenges an assumption made years ago, they need to take another look,” said retired FBI agent Jason Pack, supporting the DA’s open-minded stance.
JonBenét died due to strangulation and head trauma, as reported by the Boulder City medical examiner. Her murder remains one of America’s most high-profile unsolved cases. Despite examining over 20,000 tips and hundreds of pieces of evidence, including DNA from more than 750 samples, the case has stalled.
Ramsey argued against what he sees as selective use of evidence and stressed the necessity for a fair investigation. Investigators have indicated that renewed DNA testing might offer new leads, yet no definitive conclusions have been reached.
As of recent updates, the Boulder police have remained in contact with the Ramsey family. JonBenét’s half-brother, John Andrew Ramsey, noted some encouraging developments. “We met with them in February 2026, and they had this new message of hope and optimism,” he shared, with indications of SNP DNA testing being considered.
While hopeful, John Andrew expressed skepticism about impending breakthroughs, suggesting that if significant progress were imminent, public discussions would be less frequent. “Six to 12 months, being super optimistic. Two to five years, no problem,” he added.
Historically, the case has seen various theories and suspects. Notably, retired detective Lou Smit argued for the possibility of an intruder over a family member and departed the investigation in 1998 over disagreements with police focus. John Anderson, a friend of Smit and a former sheriff, criticized anyone who believed the Ramseys should not have been cleared, reinforcing the complexity and divided opinions surrounding the case.
The investigation continues, with authorities hopeful that modern DNA methods will eventually lead to closure in the tragic and long-standing mystery of JonBenét Ramsey’s death.