A Netflix documentary director's outspoken criticism of the Boulder Police Department's handling of JonBenét Ramsey's murder investigation ignites fresh controversy over the decades-old cold case.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joe Berlinger, director of "Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey," has called on the Boulder Police Department (BPD) to provide direct communication with the Ramsey family regarding DNA testing progress in the 1996 murder case.
The tension between the documentary team and law enforcement escalated following BPD's response to claims made in the Netflix series. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn defended the department's commitment to the case, while Public Information Officer Dionne Waugh strongly denied allegations of neglecting viable evidence and leads.
Chief Redfearn addressed the ongoing investigation through a video statement, acknowledging past investigative shortcomings while emphasizing the department's current dedication.
The department revealed that its investigation has involved processing more than 21,000 tips, conducting 1,000 interviews, and analyzing samples from over 200 individuals. Despite the public interest, the police maintain that sharing specific findings could compromise potential future prosecution.
The department's Cold Case Review Panel, established in December 2023, has completed a comprehensive review of the case. However, details of their findings remain confidential, sparking further criticism from the documentary team and the Ramsey family.
BPD Public Information Officer Dionne Waugh emphasized their position, stating:
The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing — to include DNA testing — is completely false.
Berlinger's response to the police department's statements highlighted specific concerns about communication gaps and technological opportunities. The director pointed out that despite promises of regular updates made two years ago, the Ramsey family has received no meaningful information about the investigation's progress.
The documentary team specifically questioned why the department hasn't engaged with advanced DNA testing facilities like Bode Technology, Parabon Nanolabs, or Othram. Berlinger emphasized the potential of new DNA testing technologies to solve the crime, particularly noting recent successes in other cold cases.
The case has seen renewed attention following the family's May 2022 petition to Colorado Governor Jared Polis, requesting the transfer of DNA evidence handling to an independent agency. John Ramsey's advocacy for retesting evidence and utilizing public genealogy databases remains a central point of contention.
Both the Boulder District Attorney's office and the documentary team acknowledge that the Ramsey family has been cleared as suspects, with formal apologies issued. The investigation's current status leaves the family and documentary team pushing for more aggressive pursuit of modern investigative techniques.
The decades-old murder case of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey continues to generate intense public interest and scrutiny of law enforcement's handling of the investigation. Director Joe Berlinger and the Netflix documentary team maintain their stance that better communication with the Ramsey family and the implementation of advanced DNA testing methods could lead to a breakthrough in the case.
The Boulder Police Department faces mounting pressure to demonstrate concrete progress in their investigation while balancing the need to protect sensitive case information. As both sides remain at odds over communication and investigative approaches, the ultimate goal of finding JonBenét's killer remains unfulfilled nearly 30 years after her death.
