The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey

The Ramseys host a Christmas Party

Dec 23, 1996

The Ramseys host a Christmas party at their home in Boulder, Colorado. About 30 people attend.

The Ramseys attend a Christmas Dinner

Dec 25, 1996

The Ramsey family visit their neighbours, the Whites, for a Christmas dinner at around 5:00 PM. They return home at about 10:00 PM.

JonBenet is found missing from her bedroom

Dec 26, 1996

Patsy Ramsey places a 911 call to the Boulder Police Department explaining that her daughter, JonBenet, is not in her room and that a ransom note was left behind.

The police arrive at the Ramsey home

Dec 26, 1996

At approximately 6:00 AM, the Boulder Police arrive at the Ramsey house after Patsy's call. They order a search of the mansion.

JonBenet is found dead

Dec 26, 1996

John Ramsey discovers JonBenet's body in the basement at around 1:00 PM. The Ramsey home is declared a crime scene.

JonBenet's cause of death is ruled a homicide

Dec 27, 1996

The county coroner determines that JonBenet died from asphyxiation due to strangulation.

Evidence and handwriting samples are collected from the Ramseys

Dec 28, 1996

JonBenet is buried in Marrieta, Georgia

Dec 31, 1996

The Ramseys declare their innocence on CNN

Jan 1, 1997

Police finish collecting evidence from the Ramsey home

Jan 4, 1997

John and Patsy Ramsey hire handwriting analysts

Jan 14, 1997

Police collect DNA samples from Bill McReynolds

Feb 12, 1997

Bill McReynolds dressed up as Santa Claus at the Ramseys' Christmas party on December 23.

Two of JonBenet's half-siblings are cleared

Mar 6, 1997

John Ramsey's children from a previous marriage, John and Melinda Ramsey are cleared of any involvement in the crime.

Beginning of DNA tests on evidence found at the crime scene

Apr 4, 1997

JonBenet's full autopsy report is released

Apr 13, 1997

The Ramseys are outed as possible suspects

Apr 18, 1997

The Ramseys are interviewed by police in formal sessions

Apr 30, 1997

Boulder Police Chief, Tom Koby, admits to making mistakes in the investigation

Oct 10, 1997

JonBenet's brother, Burke, is questioned for 6 hours by police

Jun 26, 1998

A grand jury overhears evidence

Sep 15, 1998

The District Attorney announces that there will be no indictment issued for the case

Oct 13, 1999

The debate over whether a stun gun was used on JonBenet begins.

Mar 13, 2000

The Ramseys publish their book "The Death of Innocence"

Mar 17, 2000

Fleet White attempts to press charges

Apr 21, 2001

Fleet White seeks to press criminal charges against journalists who implied his involvement in the killing of JonBenet.

Detective Andrew "Lou" Smit states that DNA evidence was found underneath JonBenet's fingernails

May 3, 2001

The Ramseys try to sue CourtTV

Jun 17, 2001

John and Patsy Ramsey seek to sue CourTV for mentioning Burke as a possible suspect in the slaying of his sister. Burke was only 9 years old at the time of the murder.

Patsy Ramsey's ovarian cancer reappears

Feb 16, 2002

The investigation is handed over to District Attorney, Mary Keenan

Dec 26, 2002

An Atlanta judge concludes that an intruder killed JonBenet

Mar 31, 2003

The Ramseys' attorney states that DNA found on JonBenet's body has not turned up any criminal matches

Jun 4, 2004

Patsy Ramsey dies of ovarian cancer

Jun 24, 2006

New suspect, John Mark Karr, is arrested in Thailand after claiming he killed JonBenet

Aug 16, 2006

The charges against John Mark Karr are dropped

Aug 28, 2006

John Mark Karr is free after his DNA did not match that found at the crime scene.

New Touch DNA clears Ramseys of involvement in JonBenet's death

Jul 9, 2008