The father of JonBenét Ramsey has issued a stark legal warning to Paramount+ over its forthcoming drama series revisiting his daughter's infamous unsolved murder. John Ramsey, 82, told the Daily Mail he would not hesitate to sue the streaming giant if the programme repeats what he calls "patently false" speculation previously levelled at his son, Burke.
A History of Legal Action and Family Trauma
The planned limited series, titled 'Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey' and starring Clive Owen as John and Melissa McCarthy as his late wife Patsy, was due for release in summer 2026. However, reports surfaced in late 2024 that Paramount executives were considering scrapping the project entirely, despite production having wrapped, due to fears of litigation.
Those fears are well-founded. In 2016, JonBenét's older brother, Burke Ramsey, sued CBS – now owned by Paramount – for a staggering $750 million. He alleged defamation after the broadcaster aired a documentary advancing a speculative theory that he, aged just nine at the time of the murder, could have been responsible. That suit was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum in 2019.
John Ramsey told the Daily Mail that the "horrible" allegations in the CBS documentary had a profound effect on Burke and the entire family. "No amount of money could ever remedy the harm caused," he stated, warning that if the Paramount+ series treads a similar path, he would pursue civil action again. "If this Paramount one went in the same direction, you bet I’d take legal action," he said.
A Case Shrouded in Mystery and Media Frenzy
The murder of six-year-old pageant queen JonBenét Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado, on 26 December 1996 remains one of America's most haunting cold cases. She was found bludgeoned and strangled in the basement of her family home hours after her parents reported her missing.
John and Patsy Ramsey immediately faced a torrent of suspicion from police and the global media. They maintained their innocence, believing an intruder was responsible. It was not until 2008 that the family was formally cleared via new DNA evidence by then-District Attorney Mary Lacy, who apologised for the years of suspicion. Tragically, Patsy had died of ovarian cancer two years prior, aged 49.
John Ramsey has spent recent years advocating for Boulder police to retest evidence with modern DNA technology. Last month, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn announced new evidence had been uncovered and older artifacts were being retested, giving John fresh hope the case could soon be solved.
Production in Limbo Amid Legal Jitters
The future of the Paramount+ series is now uncertain. Industry reports suggest Paramount lawyers are "super nervous" about the content, with a full legal review underway and a "strong chance" the show will be shelved to avoid lawsuits. The production company, 101 Studios, has reportedly been permitted to shop the series to other networks.
John Ramsey said he has not been contacted by Paramount and has no knowledge of what the series ultimately portrays. Actress Melissa McCarthy, who plays Patsy, offered cryptic comments in a January 2025 interview, saying, "It’s still a blood sport," while expressing sympathy for the family.
The case highlights the enduring tension between dramatic storytelling and the real-life trauma for victims' families. John Ramsey recounted the extreme measures taken to protect Burke's childhood after the murder, including hiding him in cars to avoid photographers. He fears a new wave of damaging speculation. "It would be extremely cruel to do that [to Burke] again," he said. "We will address it if they do."
