Break Emerging in JonBenet Ramsey Case?

By: CBSNews

(CBS) An expert on the JonBenet murder case says his sources confirm reports that investigators in Boulder, Colo. would like to speak again to her older brother, Burke Ramsey, in case he saw something at the time that could help them connect some newly-surfaced dots now.

Burke was nine when his little sister, a 6-year-old beauty pageant contestant, was slain in December 1996, in what went on to become one of the most famous unsolved killings in recent times.

He's now 23.

Lawrence Schiller, a contributor to The Daily Beast, founder of the Norman Mailer Writers Colony and author of one of the definitive books on the Ramsey case, "Perfect Murder, Perfect Town," told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez Tuesday he called some sources in Boulder on Monday.

"They said the police had sent on their business cards and asked Burke, if his time permitted, if he could get in touch with them," Schiller said.

Rodriguez noted that the Ramsey family attorney tells "The Early Show" Burke hasn't been questioned yet.

Burke "was questioned and exonerated" in the aftermath of his sister's death, Rodriguez pointed out. Why would they be trying to question him again 14 years later?

"You have to remember," Schiller explained, "number one, he was 9 years old, a frail kid. Not very large in size. His sister was younger. There's a lot of evidence that has still been unexplained over the years. Footprints have been identified, but some have not. Handprints and palm prints have been identified in the room where her body was found. Some still not. In essence, the body was placed there. It wasn't dragged in. And then it was wrapped in a blanket.

"Now, if he was a witness to some event that night, something that may, in essence, now connect with something else, you have to remember, this murder took place in a community that was embarrassed by it. Wasn't prepared for it. Did not have a history of violence. The police are never going to give up on this case. There's no statute of limitation on murder."

"In other words," Rodriguez asked, "(probers) may have discovered some new evidence that wouldn't necessarily make (Burke) a suspect, but to which he could possibly speak?"

"That's correct," Schiller responded. "He was exonerated by DNA, by many, many methods that the police used at that point. But the question is, in his own mind now, this many years away, has he locked away the facts of this murder? Has he, in essence, put it in a room, closed the door, and doesn't want to think about it? So how helpful can he be? You know, just because questions are unanswered doesn't mean somebody is withholding the answer."

Schiller says it's not surprising that Boulder police are staying mum on the new reports and that the Ramsey family lawyer says Burke hasn't met with them again yet.

"If there is a real lead, nobody's gonna tell you about it!" Schiller exclaimed.

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by rsmik October 20, 2011 7:33 PM EDT: Some of you should need to actually read the article before you comment.
Nobody is accusing Burke Ramsey of anything. It appears obvious that the police want to talk to him because he is now older and may have better comprehension of past memories.; Reply to this comment


by usmc2090 September 25, 2011 8:40 PM EDT: I was Jonbenet's age when this happened, I remembering hearing about it all over the news, and I always kept a sensative spot in my heart for this little girl. I'm now 22 years and an intelligence specialist and have been going through all the reports myself and conducting my own analysis on this matter.

First of all, yes, the Police made several critical mistakes from the very get-go; allowing friends and family to walk throughout the house and not "properly" isolating the crime scene which, in fact, should have been the first step.

I think the biggest piece of evidence in this case is the ransom note. I handwriting analysis that was conducted, stated the handwriting matched the hand writing of Patsy, therefore she wasn't ruled out as the possible author right away. But with the new DNA evidence ruling the parents out as possible suspects, you have still consider the fact that even though the Ramsey family was not evidently involved, you have to keep an open mind that they are can still be an accomplice. For the mere fact that several reports lead that the killer had a familiarization with the household based on the reports of the murder.

In 2006, a man named John Mark Karr, falsy admitted to the murder of Jonbenet. He stated "I was in the house at 5am... and i stayed there all night." Well if you look at the times of the event, this would of only given him a 20-30 minute window to conduct the murder AND write the ransom note, no probable. He was ruled out as a suspect when his DNA did not match to the DNA found on Jonbenets' body.

Going back to what I stated about the ransom note being the key evidence in this case; a lot can be revealed about who wrote this letter just by analyzing it. First, if you noticed, the letter starts off by addressing John Ramsey as "Mr. Ramsey", and then later in the letter is addresses him simply as "John" indicating the letter was over a personal matter rather than a mere aquaintance. Also in the letter the killer(s) is introduced as a "Foriegn Faction". If this was indeed true, the author would not introduce themself as a foriegn faction if they were indeed foriegn. If you were of Islmic decent, you wouldn't write a letter introducing yourself as "foreign" would you? Furthermore, the letter was unusally long for a ransom letter, three pages to be exact, and ransom letters are typically straight to the point. Additionally, if you read the ransom letter, you'll notice the author transitions from seeming to be under educated by mis-spelling common words such as "possession", to seeming as an educated writer using uncommon words such as "hence" and "attache", both spelled correctly, indicating this could of possibly been a cover up letter. It's possible that this was not a true kidnapping, but a murder disguised as a kidnapping.

Burke Ramsey, killer or not? I would have to say not. Although I do believe he knows some significant information that could lead to the identity of Jonbenet's killer. Whether he comes forward or not is the question. He has stated that he has some "information with a lead" but has not yet revealed it to the authorities. Why the police force has not pursued this information with more eagerness is questionable.

I do not know who killed Jonbenet, as none of us do, but... someone does. The information, evidence, and leads are there, i just dont think we are looking hard enough or over looking to often. Some questions I would have if i were an invesitagor on this case would be some of the following:

1. Find out what Burke knows further, there is something beneath the surface that needs to be dug up and revealed.
2. Have we questioned all the individuals who were a member of the church at the time the Ramsey's attended?
3. Have you gotten John Mark Karrs' full side of the story, let him tell the story as to what happened and see if the time frame matches as to what his story versus to what actually happened, it's possible he may know "something".
4. Invesigate the house again, with new technology these days there is likely something that we could of missed in the prior years.
5. Examine examine examine the ransom note further! I still believe there is something in this ransom note were missing or looking over with a blind eye.

I believe investigators need to start off on square one again with this investigation and go back to the beginning. Look at all the information, come up with a new analysis, and go from there. This is a step by step process. Be weary of wrongful information, each investigator needs to make up their own mind after analyzing all the evidence and information.; Reply to this comment


by MalloryDavis August 17, 2011 7:21 AM EDT: This poor family. I never believed they were involved and I still don't. Poor Patsy and John.; Reply to this comment

by MarkBibbee May 28, 2011 11:21 AM EDT

Pat Gisler in Bend,Oregon is the JonBenet Ramsey killer.He was accused of date rape druging girl in Hawaii November 1996 and then routed to Denver to get away stateside and set up Murder details.The Ransom note was the exact amount I was asking for to refinace my Bend property he asked to morgage and his handwriting is exact match to ransom note letters.Comander Stewart has this now since my meeting 3/21/2011 in Boulder and hope she doe's her job unloke Alex Hunter who I gave info on in 1998-2000.

Let's still get justice for JonBenet,

Mark Bibbee

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by Jaylah54 August 15, 2011 2:18 PM EDT: I'd offer you a tin foil hat, but your rantings above are so unintelligible that I doubt you'd know what to do with it.


by debbie1120 October 17, 2011 3:37 PM EDT: I still believe that Patsy had something to do with it. Maybe she didn't do it herself, but she had a hand in it. Yes, they came back about a year and 1/2 ago and said that the family was cleared. Of course they were, the person responsible had past away.


by GGGolden April 24, 2011 6:41 AM EDT: Use your common sense for a minute and step back: I do not believe for a moment that Burke was responsible or strong enough for a 9 yr old for such a violent and heinous crime and how could he have written such a ransom note and what would be his motive anyway for killing his sister on Christmas. I don't believe the Ramseys' were responsible either or covered up for Burke, they had no history of violence and no motive - it seems to me if you read over the ramsom note and take it at face value there was more than one person involved as mentioned in the note and why would the kidnappers mention that fact anyway - they wrote this elaborate note which revealled clues to their possible identity and they had the gaul to sign it too. They mention John as not being the only fat cat around (which would indicate the kidnappers were not the fat cat types but in need of money)which makes me think they were looking to target others besides this family.
I think a group of morons thought it was possible to actually kidnap JonBenet from her home and then bungled the kidnapping and ended her life because she saw their faces. They left her in the house so that they could get away before the Ramsey's awoke and left everything behind including the note - just my theory. The police need to go back over the suspects at that time and exhaust all leads properly - key word -properly! and do the job they should have done in the first place and they will find the bastard(s).; Reply to this comment


by Jabawaki88 April 1, 2011 11:44 AM EDT: I'm not sure exactly where the DNA was found but I thought some of it was found in the little babies private area and panties. There is a sick SOB out their and he or she needs to be found.; Reply to this comment


by Jabawaki88 April 1, 2011 11:39 AM EDT: You know this case is the sadest case in recent history. According to Aprodite Jones, crime show, DNA was found and the DNA did not match anyone in the Ramsey family. Now I admit the Ramsey's, particularly the father did not act like the grieving parents that most of us would expect. But appearances are often wrong. We were not behind the scenes. I am furious that the Boulder Police were so one sided in this case. It was proven that the back of the house had no snow and that the back window was indeed large enough for some one to enter it. The Boulder Police dropped the ball from the get go. What makes me so angry is that the Police have DNA evidence taken from JonBenet and that DNA did not match the family yet they focused all their energy on the family. Why? Is there a way to contaminate DNA so it won't look like it came from the family but it did? I'm no expert but barring anything else why on earth did the Police focuse so much on the family. I have seen many things in my life and not much would surprise me. So if there is a way for the Ramsey's to be involved with their daughters death in coherts with another, yet to be indentified suspect, I'm willing to listen. But based on what is known publicly the DNA was not any family member. So as a detective when you find DNA in the little girls panties, that does not belong to the family, then you have to shift your focus at least a little. Because even if the Ramseys were involved you don't have all the suspects because DNA proves that. This is probably the worst investigation I have ever seen and the Press, media, vultures, whate ever you want to call them, did not help. Sad that this little girl does not have justice. Good Day, Joe.; Reply to this comment

by trueadvocate March 18, 2011 3:06 AM EDT

According to some sources it wasn't Burke's DNA discovered on his sisters body. Now that's not to say that Burke is too scared to reveal if he knows who the murderer because of the perpetrator may have had some ties to the federal government or could have been a police officer. The most dangerous of pedophiles and molesters are ones that carry badges or hold powerful government positions. Their father was in the weapons business and with Lockheed Martin. Also Jon Benet was a child beauty contestant and had been in many beauty pagents and predators of children (especially ones with badges) can frequent these pageants undetected. Who's to know if Burke's life wasn't threatened by the perpetrator that murdered his sister. More than likely the safety of the whole family was threatened by the perp and apparently he was able to convince the boy that he was capable of murdering Burke and his parents, afterall he probably didn't have to do a lot of convincing to the boy that he was capable of murder. Now lets do then arithmatic and add together all of the comments and what do you have? Furthermore Carr frequented many places where children would be. I'm not saying that it (now a woman) was directly involved and couldn't have been in Colorado when he had been in Alabama and Florida shooting porn flicts with 13 and 14 year old girls around that time but I believe that he knows who murdered Jon Benet or has a good idea and can't make a positive identification. However, when I was 7 years old I was put in a situation where a part-time Cobb County Police officer threatened my and the lives of my family if I revealed that he was luring me to his home to bathe with his 6 year old daughter and learning the facts of life. So I know how it feels to be exploited and threatened by a police officer

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by GGGolden April 24, 2011 6:58 AM EDT: I agree - the police involved in this case made huge mistakes right from the beginning first by not securing the crime scene or by doing a complete check of each and every room, window and door of the house. Also, I have to wonder if these people were petty theives because JonBenet's gold jewellery was still left on her after the murder was committed which I find odd, if they were so desperate for money why would they leave that behind and not make off with it. Also, it is not clear if other items were removed from the Ramseys' home like cheques or bank statements, electronics, etc.

by bllybwlr7 January 10, 2011 2:48 PM EST

With respect to all of your opinions those of you who still believe that the family was involved especially Burke, clearly have not looked into the details of the case or read professional reports regarding the evidence. First off the injuries inflicted upon JonBenet required extensive force and control, a 9 year old boy could not possibly have possessed the strength and motor functions to cause the damages that were present. Every criminal profiler and forensics expects who have studied the case suggest that the killer was a young male between either in their late teens or early twenties who had some type of concentrated anger with the Ramseys particularly John. The language in the letter would support this theory. It is very immature agressive wording that using personal jabs and youthful bantering. Police made several mistakes in the case by allowing family and friends to walk throughout the house damaging any extraction of proper evidence, clearly the officers in this area were not educated enough in properly securing crime scenes. It is extremely sad.

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by Grieverus January 20, 2011 6:24 AM EST: Thank you! Finally someone gets it. It honestly makes me very upset that after all this time and the death of Patsy Ramsey there's still ignoramuses out there who believe the family did it. The family has been exonerated by a Federal Court. Whenever I hear someone say "the mother did it" or "the father did it" I just roll my eyes in disbelief because it's clear they have absolutely no knowledge about the various details of the case, all of which point to anyone BUT the parents and something extremely sinister and definitely premeditated.


by GeeZee2011 January 3, 2011 8:15 AM EST: I can't help but notice how much people are still accusing the Ramsay Family... reminds me a lot of the "Chamberlain" case back here in Aust in the 80's (you know, dingo, baby...).
Anyway, having just seen a doco based on what a screw up the investigation was on the police behalf, also involving other potential suspects, which suddenly came to view, had all the incriminating circumstantial evidence, yet then found not to be linked (like the suicide they found with matching boots, taser, criminal history etc... yet obviously a staged suicide... really homocide)... I know all that may take a little to read and understand, sorry. Anyway, as I was saying, if you ask me the thing I would be looking for is someone in the Boulder Police that was leading the direction of the investigation, creating the accusations towards the family... Stepping back and looking in at the whole situation, sounds plausible that maybe the true killer is ACTUALLY in the force, or closely linked... hence everything pointed all over the place for a suspect, without truly studying the evidence. It seems most of the evidence that was used was highly circumstantial, and some even fabricated, whilst true evidence was buried.
Hey, I don't want to be sitting here going "oh, I know what happened", but merely looking at a possibility that no-one else wants to consider.; Reply to this comment

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