JonBenet Ramsey - Do you think her Mother murdered her?

[mickeyfan2]

I do not believe she did it, but I do believe she was covering for somebody else. I believe it was not a stranger but somebody in the home.

 

[SueM in MN]

The "why" the investigation was so poor was not due to this specific family being so wealthy but rather the very wealthy community where things like this didn't happen. I remember seeing a special about the murder and the narrator specifying this was the first murder in a great many years. These cops were not at all prepared for a crime scene like this - especially at Christmas when even police departments are low on staff.

The Ramseys were wealthy and their child had supposedly been "kidnapped", so they police were looking at it as a "comfort the family and get the child back" situation (which they also had no experience with).
I think both a kidnapping and a death were so far off the police's radar screen that they had no idea how to proceed.

 

[JerseyJanice]

A few random thoughts on this topic, if I may--

To the U.K. poster who asked a few pages back about how "tabloid" Fox News is--it ain't called "Faux" News by many in the U.S. for nothing!

I haven't been blessed with a daughter, but if I were, beauty pageants are one thing I would never want her to be involved with. As an female adult, they are abhorrent to me (even though I always wanted to be "Little Miss America" when I was a child).

That said, I've never heard that children who are involved with them, or modeling, or acting are more likely to be murdered by their parents. IOW, however much many of us find the pageant scene revolting, there is no evidence to suggest that child beauty contestants are being murdered more often than the rest of the population.

As far as the way the parents acted immediately after her death, I want to say that no one can know how they would react if they lost their own child. There really is no wrong way for anybody to grieve. And I can guarantee you that if you never experienced an extreme loss before, when you do, you will not act the way you expect.

These were well-off people; no doubt that they were advised early on by friendly legal counsel that they were the prime suspects in JB's murder. The family is always the prime suspect in any murder case because law enforcement almost always assumes that family members are the perpetrators.

 

[mickeyfan2]

The family is always the prime suspect in any murder case because law enforcement almost always assumes that family members are the perpetrators.

Law enforcement knows (from previous cases - Remember the Smith case?) that a close family member or friend is almost (~98% of the time) the perpetrator.

 

[lucyblondecat]

I think Patsy Ramsay is guilty of exploiting her beautiful young daughter, but I don't think she murdered her.

I'm not sure about Mr. Ramsay or the son's involvement.

And sadly its one of those cases where we will probably never know what really happened.

 

[VSL]

I have very mixed feelings about the whole thing.

Also, I think that pushing your child academically or sports-wise is a lot different to dressing them up in revealing outfits and covering them with make-up and parading them in the public eye for adults to 'judge'.

 

[Pugdog007]

The ransom note itself... is enough evidence for me to say it was an inside job. Practice notes in the garbage? The exact amount of his bonus? I don't know anyone who shares the amount of their bonus when it's a substantial amount... it's taboo and it's tacky. People don't do it. That and the "inside" phrases used... to me point directly at Patsy having written it.

 

[Quinn222]

These were well-off people; no doubt that they were advised early on by friendly legal counsel that they were the prime suspects in JB's murder. The family is always the prime suspect in any murder case because law enforcement almost always assumes that family members are the perpetrators.

I always remember Polly Klaas' father saying he knew that he would be the first suspect and so he cooperated as much and as quickly as possible so that he could be eliminated from suspicion and they could move on to look for the real perpetrator. Of course he knew he wasn't guilty and he had nothing to hide.

 

[sajetto]

I've always had mixed feelings about the case. No one wants to believe that a mother could kill her own child, but its happened many times before. Patsy's actions were just so bizarre after JB's death that it made her look very suspicious. While one has no idea what they would do if they lost a child I hardly think that the first reaction someone would have is to call their attorney. It's all very strange and I think this case will NEVER be solved.

 

[T. Lynn]

That note is too much of a give-away. Who murders someone and has time or the guts to stay around long enough to write a note and then a final draft at that?

I hope that the daddy confesses on his death bed or breaks down before. Again, I think they know something. Just too odd not to.

 

[poohandwendy]

Some of the main reasons I do not believe it was an intruder:

1) What intruder is going to think they can enter your home on Christmas night, without being caught? Too risky.

2) If an intruder comes with the purpose of molesting and/or killing the child...why would they take the chance of doing all of that in the home, where the parents are?
They wouldn't, they would remove the child from the home.

3) What intruder writes the randsom note on paper that was found in your nightstand, next to where you were sleeping?

And many other inconsistencies. There are just too many things about the Ramseys story that make zero sense.

 

[Dina]

I always remember Polly Klaas' father saying he knew that he would be the first suspect and so he cooperated as much and as quickly as possible so that he could be eliminated from suspicion and they could move on to look for the real perpetrator. Of course he knew he wasn't guilty and he had nothing to hide.

I also thought of Polly Klaas' father too. He was suspected (how sad, what a wonderful man-- always on Larry King), and fully cooperated.

 

[T. Lynn]

I forgot about the note being written on her personal stationary...just puts another nail in their coffin.

I just wish the guilt would eat at the brother or dad to give us some insight.

 

[Chicago526]

Isn't the brother an adult now? Has he spoken publicly about any of this?

Personally, I'm on the fence. There is too much evidence pointing to both an intruder and an inside job/cover up for me to be sure either way.

 

[Jynohn]

At the time of the murder I was working at a company that worked very closely with Access Graphics, John's business, so this case hit very close to home.

I have mixed feelings about who I think killed Jon Benet, but I am almost positive that if nothing else, Patsy wrote the note. As others pointed out, it was her stationary, it used phrases that Patsy was known to use, and most importantly, she was the only one who could not be ruled out as the author of the note in a handwriting analysis.

I have a hard time believing that Burke killed her and that the parents were covering up. Only because I don't think he could have physically caused the trauma to Jon Benet (crushing blow to the head) and even in their grief and desperation to protect him, how could a parent bring themselves to crush their dead or dying daughter's skull, even if it was to avert suspicion from their son?

I remember once reading a theory that John was molesting Jon Benet and Patty walked in unexpectedly and witnessed it. In a blind rage and perhaps jealousy, she attacked Jon Benet. John had to cover up for her because how could he admit the reason why Patsy attacked Jon Benet? Interesting theory anyway...

 

[sha_lyn]

was there any evidence that she had been molested? I don't remember any being mentioned, except for the DNA on her underware. However there were many explinations in how DNA could have been on it.

Someone mentioned a pubic hair earlier (on the blanket maybe?) I remember during some case (probably this one) they said the average person shed 20 or more a day. they usually work their way out of underware and fall on the floor.

 

[Jynohn]

was there any evidence that she had been molested?

I don't remember if there was evidence of molestation on THAT night, but I do remember reading there was some suspicion because she had been to her pediatrician several times due to "inflammation" there and an unusual amount of UTI's for a child her age.

 

[beachblanket]

Oh, pleeeeeze....methinks many people here have very short memories. Rewind to December 1996, gang...neither Patsy nor her husband passed the smell test from the get-go:

On December 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsy woke up to "find" a two-and-a-half page "ransom note" on the stairs:

The police that arrived after they called 911 were suspicious from the start. Patsy -- while hysterical and weeping -- kept glancing at the police through the fingers covering her face. She and John were also less focused on the child's whereabouts than in taking steps to raise the "ransom" money; the note said that the "kidnappers" would call John Ramsey....but no call came.

After Jonbenet's body was discovered later that day -- in an obscure basement room that would not be known to anyone not readily familiar with the house... the Boulder DA's office publicly stated "it is very unusual for a kidnap victim's body to be found at home - it's not adding up."

The first thing the Ramseys did after their daughter was buried....wasn't to encourage the authorities to go after the "kidnappers"...but instead to hire their own crimminal defense lawyers.

Despite their subsequent insistence that a "kidnapping intruder" was responsible for the crime (and per Patsy "still roaming the streets of Boulder...lock up your babies..."), the Ramseys never offered any explanation for:

- The fact that out of 73 suspects whose writing samples were analyzed by handwriting experts in comparison with the note, Patsy Ramsey was the only one who could not be excluded as its author.

- The fact the killer had to be very familiar with the layout of the house.

- The fact the killer just happened to know that John Ramsey had just received a bonus in EXACTLY the same amount as the requested ransom: $118,000.

- The fact the killer was confident enough to spend the time to not only commit the offence, but have the presence of mind to write and place a long "ransom" note in an attempt to draw suspicion away from themselves.

- The fact the M.O. for a child predator who held the intent to abduct, sexually attack and murder a child would not to do all three in the child's home, and then linger around to leave a phony "ransom" note.

Bottom line: Patsy's crocodile tears didn't fool the smart money a decade ago, and the stain they left on Boulder will never be washed away.

 

[jonestavern]

I'm going with the 'we'll probably never know'.

There was just too much inexperienced initial 'detective' work here, not securing the crime scene, etc. Not on purpose, but just lack of experience.

The rough draft business seems very peculiar.

Also, while, close family are often the perpetrators, it is also, a significant percentage of the time, aquaintances or strangers.

I often wonder that the close family members /close friends avenue, while, that of course, must be rigourously checked out, can end up looking like a rationalization as compared to doing some real tough, extremely time consuming & expensive investigative work, which calls for experienced investigators.

Unless, you think you have an airtight alibi, your first move should be to contact a seasoned, respected investigator & lawyer.
The attorney will let you cooperate with the police investigation, but will also protect your rights at a time when you'll be distraught & an emotional wreck.

Immediately, get a respected, top notch private investigator--preferably with an FBI--background. That detective agency can monitor & carry out a proper & thorough investigation. It can follow & pursue this on its own, with police cooperation.

Doesn't John Walsh-- poor Adam Wash's Dad & America's Most Wanted-- recommend the private investigator IMMEDIATELY?!
I would say this is good advice not only in murder cases, but in kidnapping or assault cases, too.

Take a look around where you work, or your friends work, is every employee there competent, have the same range of experiences, trustworthy, dogged?

When I worked at court--not in New Hampshire!--, in private, you could often hear state police or DAs, moan over the lack of proper local police crime work, even in burglaries. Not with all departments, but some of the same towns would crop up more often, depending on the type of case.

there needs to be a lot more programs available to towns & cities for proper training--not likely to happen, however!

Jean

 

[cats mom]

I have to say I have not read a whole lot about the case, so my opinion is based almost entirely on gut instinct, certainly not evidence. So feel free to disregard.

But I always thougt mom or dad did it - although I certainly do not think they meant to - then they staged the whole kidnapping/murder thing as a cover-up.

Like someone else said Patsy seemed to be wound really tightly to begin with; add the stress created by her need to appear to have the perfect family, the stress of the holidays, medical problems, a child who is past the age you would expect to have bed wetting problems but who is still having frequent accidents...
(anyone willing to admit they've dealt with that? I've been there and let me tell you it can be VERY stressful)
and whatever else might have been going on in their personal lives and I certainly don't think it's a huge stretch to think she might have snapped.

Honestly I hope I'm wrong and that she is in peace with her daughter beside her somewhere now but I just don't know.