Where is JonBenét Ramsey’s brother now? His life after being accused of his murder

On November 26, 2024By Littum

The tragic murder of JonBenét Ramsey in December 1996 didn’t just captivate the nation—it forever changed the lives of her family members, especially her older brother Burke, who was just 9 years old at the time. With the release of a new Netflix docuseries, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramseymany viewers want to know: where is JonBenét Ramsey’s brother now?

On December 26, 1996, the body of 6-year-old JonBenét, a child beauty queen, was discovered in the basement of the family’s Boulder, Colorado home. The gruesome discovery came hours after her parents found a ransom note demanding $118,000 for her safe return. The case shocked the nation not only for its brutality, but also because it remained unsolved, leading to decades of speculation and media coverage.

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In the aftermath, JonBenét’s older brother Burke found himself at the center of intense public scrutiny, with tabloids reporting that he was under investigation by a grand jury. However, in May 1999, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office officially stated that Burke was not and had never been a suspect in the crime. Although the case remains unsolved to this day, Burke has worked to build a life away from the shadow of that terrible Christmas night. For everything we know about where Burke is now, keep reading.

What happened to JonBenét Ramsey’s brother Burke after her death?

After JonBenét’s death, the Ramsey family made the difficult decision to leave Boulder, Colorado. According to People magazinemoved John and Patsy Ramsey to Charlevoix, Michigan, where they had a summer home, choosing this location where Burke could finish his high school years away from the intense media scrutiny that had followed the family. Unfortunately, Burke’s mother Patsy died of ovarian cancer in 2006, leaving only Burke and his father as JonBenét’s remaining immediate family members.

“We tried very hard to keep Burke’s life normal,” John Ramsey revealed during a 2016 appearance on Dr. The Phil Show. This desire for normalcy seems to have paid off – Burke went on to graduate from Purdue University in 2010, per Us Weekly.

Where is JonBenét Ramsey’s brother Burke now?

Today, Burke has forged a successful career in the STEM field. People magazine reported in 2012 that he was thriving professionally and had found personal happiness in a serious relationship. His father proudly noted at the time, “He’s definitely matured. He’s got a 401(k) plan and an IRA, and he did it all on his own.”

Dr. Phil McGraw, who interviewed Burke in 2016, gave an insight into his current life in an interview with Entertainment tonight: “He’s a very private individual, but he has a great career and has a great relationship with his father.” Those who know Burke also describe him as naturally reserved. During his rare public appearances, such as his interview on Dr. Philsome viewers commented on his demeanor – especially his nervous smile while discussing his sister’s murder. Dr. Phil explained to Entertainment Tonight: “People have commented on his smile, which is all anxiety. He’s kind of a loner. He’s socially awkward.”

Despite being cleared of DNA evidence in 2008 along with his parents, according to ABC NewsBurke has continued to actively protect her reputation in the years since her sister’s death. In 2016, following the release of the CBS docu-series The case of: JonBenét Ramseyhe sued both the network and coroner Werner Spitz for their allegations of his involvement in his sister’s death.

According to Daily MailSpitz once said in an interview with CBS Detroit, “It’s the boy who did it, whether he was jealous or mentally unfit or something. I don’t know why, I’m not a psychiatrist, but what I’m sure of is, what I know about him.” This prompted Burke to file a $150 million defamation suit against Spitz, followed by another $750 million lawsuit against CBS, as reported by People.

The legal battles ended in early 2019, with what Burke’s attorney Lin Wood described Reuters as an amicable solution “to the satisfaction of all parties.”

Despite the continued public interest in his sister’s case, Burke has managed to maintain his private life while building a successful professional life—perhaps the most normal outcome possible for someone whose childhood was marked by such unimaginable tragedy.

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