Netflix docuseries on JonBenét Ramsey’s cold case: Boulder PD speaks out

DENVER (KDVR) — The no. 1 TV show on Netflix, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?” premiered Monday, and Boulder police have since spoken out about the case.

The docuseries debuted on November 25 on Netflix as an investigative series about JonBenét Ramsey, a 6-year-old who was reported missing from her home in Boulder on December 26, 1996. The beauty pageant star’s family later found her dead in the home’s basement.

A day after the series aired, the police department wrote an “annual update” on Xas they said comes as the date of JonBenet’s murder approaches. While the update usually comes in December, the department said this update came early “due to the heightened attention to this investigation.”

Boulder PD talks about the JonBenét Ramsey case

While the department never mentioned the documentaries specifically, the post on X referenced many allegations brought up in the three-part documentary series.

The documents ultimately hint at many mistakes made in the investigation, including flawed DNA evidence and false accusations by family members. The series alludes to many possible suspects towards the end of the show and steps to be taken next in the investigation.

“The claim that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing — to include DNA testing — is completely false,” the department said on X.

While this claim has been made by many over the years, the department addresses another claim from the series.

In episode 3, the series stated 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, Boulder police said otherwise.

“Additionally, it was the Boulder Police Department — not the Colorado Bureau of Investigation — that convened the Cold Case Review Panel in December 2023 as part of its investigative efforts,” the department said on X.

Boulder police also released a five-minute video on updates in the case, with Police Chief Stephen Redfearn saying 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 about the matter. Redfearn also gave an update on where the cold case stands today.

JonBenét Ramsey case updates

As for the current investigation, Redfearn said the department is still working through tips the Cold Case Panel gave the department last year, but like any major investigation, police can’t share 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 out over the years that could have been done better, and we recognize that’s true. It’s however, it is important to emphasize that while we cannot go back to that terrible day in 1997, our goal is to find JonBenét Ramsey’s killer,” said Redfearn.

The department said homicide case can be reviewed on its website. Anyone with information about the case can contact detectives at [email protected] or by calling the Boulder Police tip line at 303-441-1974.