JonBenét Ramsey Murder: Police Confirm New Evidence and DNA Re-Testing

Summary

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Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield

Episode: JonBenét Ramsey Murder: Police Confirm New Evidence and DNA Re-Testing

Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Guest: John Ramsey (father of JonBenét Ramsey)

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Episode Overview

This episode marks the grim 29th anniversary of JonBenét Ramsey’s unsolved murder, a case that has haunted the true crime community for nearly three decades. Host Ashleigh Banfield provides updates on new developments announced by Boulder police, including the discovery of new evidence and the retesting of old evidence with advanced DNA technology. Special guest John Ramsey joins the conversation to discuss his ongoing hope for resolution and justice, recent cooperation with law enforcement, and his perspectives on advancements in forensic science.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Emotional Weight of the Anniversary

• (01:39-01:54)
  Ashleigh reflects on the juxtaposition between personal holiday joy and the darkness this time of year brings for the Ramsey family and the true crime community, as December marks 29 years since JonBenét’s murder.

The Latest Official Update: New Evidence & Retesting

• (03:27-04:20)
  Ashleigh summarizes the Boulder Police Department’s annual statement, citing new evidence collection, retesting of previous evidence, and collaboration with state, federal, and external experts. Importantly, specific details are withheld to protect the investigation.

  “Police are not saying what that evidence is or who has been interviewed or re interviewed, but they are confirming that new and follow up interviews have been conducted and that new evidence has been collected.”
  — Ashleigh Banfield, (04:01)

Interview with John Ramsey: Details, Hopes, and Frustrations

Communication from Boulder Police

• (05:17-05:46) Ashleigh asks about communications with the police regarding new and retested evidence.

  “Chief Redfern told us...that he had submitted evidence for additional DNA testing. He didn’t say what evidence it was but that it was submitted. Submitted again or perhaps new.”
  — John Ramsey, (05:46)

Advocacy for Advanced Forensic Testing

• (05:55-07:22) John highlights the importance of outside experts and advanced labs like Othram, known for their successes in recent cold cases.

  “No. Othram is one of the few cutting edge labs that can do investigative genetic genealogy... It’s been very successful in solving old cold cases. It’s kind of the latest and greatest use of technology and DNA to solve crimes.”
  — John Ramsey, (07:22)

Ongoing Struggles with Public Perception

• (08:01-09:04) Ashleigh confronts the persistent public suspicion toward the Ramsey family, despite official exoneration and apologies. She calls for empathy and informed commentary.

  “Let me repeat this loud and clear that the Boulder police and everybody else involved in investigating the murder of your daughter, they have cleared you over and over and over again and they’ve gone so far as to apologize...”
  — Ashleigh Banfield, (08:21)

The Value of New Leadership

• (06:54-09:04) John Ramsey expresses hope under Chief Redfern’s leadership, noting improvement after years of stagnation and “old guard” police culture in Boulder.

  “The key really in progress has been the, the addition of new leadership there... I’m impressed with him. I think he’s, he’s sincere and honest and so I’m encouraged.”
  — John Ramsey, (06:26)

The Importance of Genetic Genealogy

• (10:00-11:24) John underscores the significance of unknown male DNA found on JonBenét’s clothing and the need for the latest DNA family-tree tracing technology. He points out the limitations of traditional DNA databases like CODIS.

  “This new technology...is really truly an investigative tool that allows police to investigate and look for the killer...CODIS federal database of DNA is... frankly a little obsolete, in my opinion.”
  — John Ramsey, (10:38-11:24)

• Ashleigh adds context referencing the Golden State Killer’s eventual capture through genealogy databases, illustrating the frustration when vital information is missed with outdated systems.

Ongoing Communication & Hopes for Resolution

• (09:04-12:13) John Ramsey details ongoing efforts to stay in communication with police and advocate for updates, feeling more optimistic than in past years despite decades of disappointment.

  “They’ve been fairly quiet about what they’re doing. I think if I read between the lines...there’s some encouraging words there. And so I’m, I’m more optimistic than I’ve been a long time, certainly with new leadership.”
  — John Ramsey, (09:33)

• Ashleigh closes the interview with renewed hope for an impending breakthrough in 2026.

  “I pray for you, I pray for you in Jan that you will get resolution, you will get justice. And I’m feeling that it’s, you know, getting closer, especially with the positive vibes you’re getting from the Boulder police.”
  — Ashleigh Banfield, (11:42)

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Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• “This month marks 29 years since 6 year old JonBenét Ramsey was found murdered inside her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado…one of the most haunting unsolved cases in American history.”
  — Ashleigh Banfield, (01:54-02:15)

• “I think if they do [use investigative genetic genealogy] we’ve got a probably a 70, 80% chance of getting an answer.”
  — John Ramsey, (07:22)

• “Unknown male DNA on JonBenét’s clothing...multiple different pieces of her clothing have the same unknown male DNA...that’s a critical piece of this mystery.”
  — Ashleigh Banfield, (10:00)

• “I’m very optimistic at this point. I really am.”
  — John Ramsey, (12:01)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• 01:39 — Ashleigh reflects on the contrast between the holidays and the Ramsey family's tragedy.
• 03:27 — Boulder Police Chief statement on new evidence and technological advances.
• 05:17 — Interview with John Ramsey begins.
• 06:54 — John describes the impact of new police leadership.
• 07:22 — The potential for breakthrough using genetic genealogy.
• 08:21 — Ashleigh directly addresses public misinformation and clears the family.
• 10:00 — Discussion of critical DNA evidence.
• 11:24 — Reflection on the inadequacy of old DNA systems.
• 12:01 — Closing: renewed optimism and hope for justice.

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Overall Tone & Language

Ashleigh Banfield balances compassion and directness, breaking down complex forensic advances for listeners while calling for empathy toward the Ramsey family. John Ramsey speaks with a mixture of hope, frustration, and determination, displaying faith in new investigative avenues and expressing cautious optimism after years of disappointment. The conversation remains earnest, clear, and approachable throughout.

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Summary Takeaways

• New Developments: Boulder police report new evidence and interviews, and retesting of older evidence with advanced DNA methods.
• Cutting Edge Forensics: There’s a strong push for using investigative genetic genealogy, offering real hope for resolving cold cases like JonBenét’s.
• Ongoing Family Advocacy: The Ramsey family remains engaged, hopeful, and in ongoing dialogue with law enforcement.
• The Importance of Public Understanding: Both Banfield and Ramsey stress the harm of lingering suspicions, urging the public to stay informed and compassionate.
• Cautious Optimism: For the first time in years, there is genuine optimism rooted in new leadership and forensic technology, raising hope that the case might see resolution as the 30th anniversary approaches.

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For further information and ongoing updates, listeners are encouraged to follow Ashleigh Banfield and Drop Dead Serious.

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Transcript

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[John Ramsey]

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[Ashley Banfield]

Hey everyone, I'm Ashley Banfield and this.

[Drop Dead Serious Narrator]

Is drop dead serious.

[Ashley Banfield]

It is the holiday season.

[Drop Dead Serious Narrator]

Hard to tell, right? I always do this. Well, at least I try. They die a lot. Sometimes I forget to water them. But I've been keeping these alive. The little poinsettia is behind me and I obviously it's supposed to be one of the happiest times of the year.

[Ashley Banfield]

It is for me.

[Drop Dead Serious Narrator]

I look forward to Christmas and the holidays all year. I love it. I love Thanksgiving too, but I really love Christmas. And I think for a lot of people it's a lot of nostalgia, right? You remember yourself and jammies opening presents and having family time and all the rest, right? But for those of us who are in the true crime community and for one family in Colorado, the holiday season can be a very, very dark time. Because it is a grim anniversary. This month marks 29 years since 6 year old JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered inside her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. That means nearly three decades of questions, three decades of investigative missteps, and three decades of one of the most haunting unsolved cases in American history. JonBenet was killed the day after Christmas 1996, strangled, skull fractured, her body left in the basement of her own home. She'd been sexually assaulted. She was six. And despite some brief moments of hope over all these years, no one has ever been charged in this crime. But there may be a new development. Boulder police have just said that they have new evidence in this case. In their annual update, Police Chief Stephen Redfern said JonBenet's murder remains a top priority and he outlined new steps being taken to move this case forward. Take a look.

[Liberty Mutual Narrator]

This past year, our detectives have conducted several new interviews as well as re interviewed individuals based on tips that we've received. We've also collected new evidence and tested and retested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads. Techniques and technology constantly evolve. This is especially true with technology related to DNA testing. Detectives continue to consult with outside experts from across across the country as well as our state and federal partners to strategize and explore all options. When it comes to evidence testing.

[Drop Dead Serious Narrator]

Police are not saying what that evidence is or who has been interviewed or re interviewed, but they are confirming that new and follow up interviews have been conducted and that new evidence has been collected.

[Ashley Banfield]

I can't Even imagine that 30 years after the fact new evidence, what did.

[Drop Dead Serious Narrator]

You find and where you know? They also say that older evidence has been retested using advances in DNA technology with help from state, federal and outside experts. And that got me thinking. Outside experts because boy, oh boy, they seem to be so much better than our official ones, right? Government experts, outside experts. OTHRAM investigators are once again urging anybody with information, no matter how small, to come forward and tell police. And just as he has for nearly three decades, JonBenet's father, John Ramsey, is still waiting for answers and still believing that a breakthrough will come. Earlier on my NewsNation show, Banfield I talked to John Ramsey. Here's our conversation.

[Ashley Banfield]

John, I can't even count how many times you and I meet at this time of year to discuss what's new, what's happening, what's different, what's changed. But something does feel different this year to hear Chief Redfern say that they've got new evidence, that they've retested old evidence and that they're using outside experts. Let's start with the new Evidence and the retesting of old evidence. Have they told you anything about that?

[John Ramsey]

Well, Chief Redfern told us actually, I don't know. September we had a meeting with him and that he had submitted evidence for additional DNA testing. He didn't say what evidence it was but that it was submitted. Submitted again or perhaps new. We don't know if it was new or stuff that had been tested before. We of course have advocated that if, if certain evidence that was taken from the crime scene has never been sampled that it ought to be the main one being the Goro that was used to strangle my daughter. So it's encouraging. And you know, the key really in progress has been the, the addition of new leadership there. It, it was not very good for 25, 26 years. And Chief read from the outside. I've met with him three or four times. I'm impressed with him. I think he's, he's sincere and honest and so I'm encouraged. And you know, we've advocated.

[Ashley Banfield]

I can't believe. John, I can't believe that the chiefs in the past haven't seen it as a priority, if only to become, you know, famous in name as the chief that solved this case. It just defies logic that it's taken three decades for someone to come along who maybe does make this a priority and who has the chops. Do you know if they have enlisted labs like Othram? And I bring up Othram because it's famous for having solved the Idaho murders.

[John Ramsey]

Yeah. No. Othram is one of the few cutting edge labs that can do investigative genetic genealogy. IGG is the term for. And we've been advocating that the border police do that, use that technology in our case. I think if they do, we've got a probably a 70, 80% chance of getting an answer. It's been very successful in solving old cold cases. It's kind of the latest and greatest use of technology and DNA to solve crimes.

[Ashley Banfield]

You know, I'm going to tell you something. When I saw the posting of Chief Redfern I went deep down in the comments and I was reading the comments and John, I'm not going to lie. I was so disheartened to see how many people out there still believe you had something to do with it despite the fact. And let me repeat this loud and clear that the Boulder police and everybody else involved in investigating the murder of your daughter, they have cleared you over and over and over again and they've gone so far as to apologize for having left you under that umbrella of suspicion for so long to the point where Patsy died before she was cleared from that umbrella of suspicion. So for anybody watching, if you're one of the commenters, do your research before you make such painful comments about John and his family. Okay? That aside, I will say this because you brought it up when we, I think, spoke at CrimeCon that you wish that they would ask you to re interview you wish that they would bring you in so that you could once again tell them everything that they might want to know. Is that I know you got the meeting in January. Is that on the agenda?

[John Ramsey]

Well, we haven't put on the agenda yet, but we're going to ask for a meeting again in January for an update. And they've always been, at least with Chief Redfern, very cordial and in honoring that request. So, you know, they've been fairly quiet about what they're doing. I think if I read between the lines of his latest report that he issued, there's some encouraging words there. And so I'm, I'm more optimistic than I've been a long time, certainly with new leadership. You know, the problem with the old leadership, it was the old guard. These people that were in that police department had never investigated a murder. They decided on day one that we were guilty, literally day one. And, and that became the conclusion that they tried to fit the evidence to and of. They ran into problems because they couldn't fit the evidence.

[Ashley Banfield]

I should mention as well, just for those who might be dabbling in the case and thinking that they know more than the average Joe, there is unknown male DNA on JonBenet's clothing. Multiple different parts of her clothing, not just one piece. Multiple different pieces of her clothing have the same unknown male DNA, meaning in it's the same DNA from the same person. So that's a critical piece of this, you know, of this mystery. Joan, have they said to you anything about what new evidence they're referring to and what new interviews they've conducted?

[John Ramsey]

No, they haven't. And of course that's one of the questions we'll ask is, okay, what, what new evidence do you have? Did you test the DNA in the latest format that's necessary to do igg investigative genetic genealogy. And that would be very encouraging to us if they've done that. This new technology, it's been around for three or four years, is really truly an investigative tool that allows police to investigate and look for the killer. The, the CODIS federal database of DNA is, it's for 30 years. It's frankly a little obsolete, in my opinion.

[Ashley Banfield]

And so you know, why you got to have a criminal. And as we know from the Golden State Killer, that guy wasn't a criminal. He was a cop. And so he was caught in genetic genealogy because he wasn't in codis, but he was in the family tree of all those folks who've, you know, tested their DNA. John, I say it every year. I'm going to say it again. I pray for you, I pray for you in Jan that you will get resolution, you will get justice. And I'm feeling that it's, you know, getting closer, especially with the positive vibes you're getting from the Boulder police. Let's just put our hands together and pray together that you finally get this answer in 2026.

[John Ramsey]

Well, thank you, Ashley. I'm very optimistic at this point. I really am.

[Ashley Banfield]

I'm glad to hear that in your voice because it's been a long 29 years. John, thank you for this and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[John Ramsey]

Well, thank you. Merry Christmas to you, Ashley. Thank you.

[Drop Dead Serious Narrator]

Nearly three decades later, investigators say they are not done. And JonBenet's family still believes that a breakthrough is coming. And you can believe that we will be watching this case, this story and these developments. I'm Ashley Banfield. Thank you so much for listening.

[Ashley Banfield]

Thank you so much for watching.

[Drop Dead Serious Narrator]

And remember, the truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead serious.

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