‘I can catch Jonbenet’s killer’
There is hope her murderer will finally be brought to justice
It’s the 25-year-old cold case that has baffled investigators. Now, an expert DNA detective tells Woman’s Day she can help reveal the murderer of Jonbenet Ramsey.
Chief genetic genealogist Cece Moore says she is “absolutely confident” she can crack the case using new technology after learning there is new DNA evidence available.
“If they have viable DNA and it is from the killer, we will identify him. It’s a matter of time,” she says.
FAMILY HEARTACHE
The tragic case, which garnered worldwide headlines, has been controversial from the start.
Six-year-old Jonbenet was found murdered in the basement of her family’s Boulder, Colorado home on December 26, 1996. Her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, were named as “the focus of the investigation”, with public opinion turning against them amid controversy over Jonbenet starring in child beauty pageants.
No one has ever been charged with her murder, and heartbreakingly, Patsy died of ovarian cancer in 2006, never knowing what happened to her daughter.
In 2008, it was revealed DNA from an unknown man was found on clothing Jonbenet was wearing at the time of her death. Now it’s hoped new DNA techniques can reveal his identity.
While the police say their investigations are “active and ongoing”, John says he wants another agency to take over the case and examine the DNA samples. “To do nothing, continuously after 25 years is just not acceptable any more,” he told 60 Minutes last week.
Meanwhile, Cece hopes to start testing the DNA as soon as she gets access and hopes she’ll have answers for Jonbenet’s family. “If you leave your DNA behind at a crime scene, you will be identified now,” she says.