Burke Ramsey, the brother of murdered child beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey, has renewed his plea for authorities to test DNA evidence he believes was overlooked in the investigation. The case, in which JonBenét was strangled at the age of six in her family's home in Boulder, Colorado, almost 30 years ago, remains one of the US' most famous cold cases.
Burke, who was nine when his sister was killed in 1996, has stressed that police overlooked DNA in the case which he feels would fully eliminate his family. Early suspicion fell on the family and lingered for years, but Burke has insisted DNA analysis was missed during that time.
Family's Trauma and Renewed Plea
Describing the family's trauma, Burke, now 39, said: "It's the most tragic, personal, awful thing to happen in my life… that anybody could imagine happening to them. It's tough to have it come up every ten years or so. It just brings all that pain back, you know. But I want this solved. So if this helps get this solved then OK, that's fine."
Burke, who now lives in Petoskey, Michigan, opened up in a new interview as the 30-year anniversary nears. A new eight-part drama, The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey, will air on Netflix from December 10, and features the suspicion around Burke's family.
DNA Evidence 'Sitting Right There'
Confronting that suspicion, Burke passionately continued: "The DNA says we didn't do it. I know none of my family did it." Physically pointing to himself, he emphasised: "I didn't do it.... You know, it's like, stop. There was this energy looking at the family, but the DNA is sitting right there."
In the interview with the Daily Mail, Burke described the grief his parents have endured since the killing on December 26, 1996. JonBenét's body was found by her father in a basement wine cellar at the family's sprawling five-bedroom home in Boulder, Colorado, some seven hours after she was reported missing.
The Crime and the Evidence
The blonde pageant queen's mouth was covered with black duct tape, she had an 8.5-inch skull fracture from a heavy blow, and a knotted nylon cord was bound around her neck. A broken wooden paintbrush handle, from her mom's art supplies in the home, had been used to twist and tighten the cord.
JonBenét's parents called 911 at 5.52am after Patsy discovered a lengthy ransom note demanding $118,000 (£87,000) on a back staircase. She then went to check on her daughter, only to find her missing from her bedroom. Detectives initially treated the case as a kidnapping. It was not until around 1pm that an officer suggested carrying out a more thorough search of the family home, leading to the horrific discovery.
Mystery DNA later found on JonBenét's underwear and beneath her fingernails pointed to an "unknown male intruder." Speaking this week, Burke added: "We need to find that match. It's the best evidence we have. It was underneath her fingernails and it didn't match any of us. It's probably the person who did it, you know, and it's the best chance we have to solve this."
Burke concluded: "I will do anything I can do to help get this case solved. I'm an open book. I've told everybody everything I know. And if I can help in any way, I'm all ears." The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey starts on Netflix on December 10.
