The 6-year-old’s homicide has been a mystery for decades.

The father of **JonBenét Ramsey**, the six-year-old girl murdered in her home in Boulder, Colorado, in 1996, believes that new forensic testing could finally bring answers to the decades-old case.

On **December 26, 1996**, JonBenét’s mother, Patsy Ramsey, reported her daughter missing from her bedroom after discovering a ransom note demanding \$118,000 for her safe return. Tragically, JonBenét’s body was found hours later in the basement, showing signs of **blunt force trauma and strangulation with a garrote**. Initial suspicion fell on the family, including her nine-year-old brother Burke, but all were later cleared. In 2008, DNA evidence identified an **unknown male** at the crime scene.

Now, almost 30 years later, **John Ramsey**, 81, has voiced optimism that advances in forensic technology could finally solve the case. Appearing at CrimeCon alongside family attorney Hal Haddon, Ramsey emphasized new avenues for DNA analysis, particularly on the **knots of the garrote** and its wooden handle. Haddon explained that the intricacy of the knots and the presence of splinters on JonBenét’s body could yield critical DNA evidence, yet these items had never been fully tested.

The ransom note itself, Haddon noted, was **elaborate**, quoting extensively from contemporary murder movies, suggesting the perpetrator had either studied the home or thoroughly cased it.

Last year, the Ramsey family pushed for **forensic genealogy** on DNA from the scene, a technique that has solved numerous cold cases in recent years. John Ramsey remains hopeful, stating, *“I believe there’s a 70 per cent chance we get an answer. We may not, but the odds are very high that we can.”* He added that the new investigative team and advanced technology make him *“more hopeful than I’ve ever been.”*

The case, one of America’s most infamous cold cases, continues to draw attention, and new forensic methods may finally shed light on what happened that tragic Boxing Day over 25 years ago.

For those affected by child abuse or needing support, the **Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline** is available 24/7 at 1-800-422-4453.