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JonBenét's father, John Ramsey, says he does not believe the scandal compromised the DNA evidence that could ultimately identify his daughter's killer. Renewed attention focuses on DNA evidence following former Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic analyst Yvonne "Missy" Woods' guilty plea in a misconduct case. 

JonBenét Ramsey remains at the center of one of America's most enduring unsolved murder mysteries. It has been nearly three decades after the 6-year-old beauty pageant contestant was found dead inside her family's Boulder, Colorado, home. 

John Ramsey, now 82, addressed the issue during a recent appearance on NewsNation's JesseWeber Live, explaining that his family investigated whether Woods had been involved in the case after allegations first surfaced regarding problems inside the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's DNA laboratory.

"We looked into it," Ramsey said. "It appeared that Ms. Woods was not involved in our case, so we kind of just dropped it."

A Murder That Still Captivates the Nation

JonBenét Ramsey was found murdered on Dec. 26, 1996, inside the basement of her family's Boulder residence after her parents discovered a lengthy ransom note earlier that morning.

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The first-grade student had suffered a severe skull fracture and was found with a garrote around her neck. Authorities ruled her death a homicide, but despite decades of investigation, no one has ever been charged.

The case became one of the most heavily publicized murder investigations in American history, generating intense media scrutiny and countless theories involving intruders, family members and unidentified suspects.

John and Patsy Ramsey were initially viewed with suspicion but were formally cleared years later after advances in DNA testing identified male DNA that did not belong to anyone in the Ramsey family.

DNA Evidence Remains the Strongest Lead

John Ramsey continues to argue that forensic DNA evidence offers investigators the best opportunity to solve the crime.

According to Ramsey, the original biological evidence was processed by an outside laboratory rather than the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

"The DNA initially in our case was the crime scene evidence," he explained. "It was sent to an outside lab, not to CBI."

That testing identified an unknown male DNA profile on JonBenét's clothing. Additional testing performed in 2006 using newer forensic methods uncovered more unidentified male DNA from other crime scene evidence.

Ramsey believes those discoveries fundamentally changed the investigation.

"So, the DNA, whoever did the DNA then, did us a great service by finding them," he said.

He has repeatedly urged investigators to use the latest forensic genetic genealogy techniques—the same technology credited with solving hundreds of cold cases and identifying suspects through distant family relationships contained in public genealogy databases.

In previous interviews, Ramsey has described forensic genealogy as "the gold standard" for modern criminal investigations.

Questions Raised by Yvonne Woods' Guilty Plea

Renewed discussion surrounding DNA testing follows the guilty plea entered by former Colorado Bureau of Investigation DNA analyst Yvonne "Missy" Woods.

Authorities accused Woods of manipulating testing records, failing to properly document laboratory work, deleting data and concealing errors involving hundreds of criminal cases over nearly two decades.

As part of a plea agreement, Woods pleaded guilty to charges including cybercrime, perjury, forgery and attempting to influence a public servant. Numerous additional counts were dismissed under the agreement.

Although the misconduct has forced prosecutors to review hundreds of criminal investigations, Ramsey emphasized that available information indicates Woods never handled evidence connected to his daughter's murder.

Family Continues to Push for Additional Testing of DNA Evidence

While Ramsey does not believe laboratory misconduct affected his daughter's case, he continues to question why every piece of evidence collected from the crime scene was not tested.

"We know that a number of items from the crime scene were sent in for testing," he said. "A number were not tested."

Ramsey has long argued that advances in forensic science justify another comprehensive review of every item recovered from the Ramsey home in 1996.

Supporters of additional testing point out that today's DNA technology is significantly more sensitive than the methods available nearly 30 years ago, allowing investigators to recover usable genetic profiles from evidence previously considered unsuitable.

JonBenét's Brother and Father say DNA Evidence Can Solve the Case

JonBenét's older half-brother, John Andrew Ramsey, has also spoken publicly in defense of his father, rejecting criticism that John Ramsey contaminated the crime scene when he carried his daughter's body upstairs after discovering her in the basement.

"It was his house. It was his daughter," John Andrew said. "Any parent would react in the same way."

He instead blamed investigators for failing to properly secure the residence.

"The police failed to control the scene and put my father in an unthinkable situation by having him search the house. They and they alone bear the responsibility."

John Andrew has praised recent efforts by the Boulder Police Department to revisit the investigation, saying detectives are once again interviewing witnesses, collecting DNA samples and pursuing new leads.

Boulder Police Continue to Investigate DNA Evidence

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn has repeatedly stated that solving JonBenét Ramsey's murder remains one of the department's highest priorities.

The department has emphasized that continually evolving DNA technology allows investigators to revisit evidence using methods unavailable during the original investigation.

Police continue to encourage anyone with information about the case to contact investigators through the Boulder Police tip line or the department's dedicated email address.

Nearly 30 years after JonBenét Ramsey's murder shocked the nation, her family remains hopeful that modern forensic science will finally identify the person responsible.

Relevant Links

• FBI Violent Crime Information: https://www.fbi.gov
• Boulder Police Department: https://bouldercolorado.gov
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org
• Colorado Bureau of Investigation: https://cbi.colorado.gov