Colorado police finish search in child slaying

Police chief: 'Our guy won't walk'

January 5, 1997

Web posted at: 9:45 a.m. EST

BOULDER, Colorado (CNN) -- Police have wrapped up their search of JonBenet Ramsey's home and removed the crime scene tape that has sealed off the home since the 6-year-old beauty queen's body was found more than a week ago.

The residence was turned over to the family's attorneys Saturday evening.

Authorities had combed through the 15-room Tudor home in Boulder practically non-stop since the girl was found strangled to death in the basement on December 26.

Evidence has been shipped to a laboratory where the Colorado Bureau of Investigation will analyze the material.

Police have kept their investigation under tight wraps and refused to release many details of the slaying, saying only that the former Little Miss Colorado died of asphyxiation.

Boulder police chief Tom Koby said he was concerned that the disclosure of too many details could hinder his department's ability to catch and convict the child's killer.

"It's not O.J. and it's not L.A. here in Boulder. Our guy won't walk," Koby said. "We are not going to be part of a media circus. Our goal is to remain focused on apprehending the person or persons responsible for JonBenet Ramsey's death and getting a conviction."

The murder was the only homicide in Boulder in 1996.

Details emerge

Police have said the investigation is wide open and that they don't have any suspects. JonBenet's parents, John and Patricia Ramsey, have been in contact with police through their attorneys and authorities were working to set up an interview with them. Police have interviewed about 30 family members and business associates of the Ramseys.

JonBenet was reported missing the day after Christmas after her mother discovered a ransom note on the back stairs of their home. The note promised the girl's safe return in exchange for $118,000 in cash. Eight hours later, the father found his daughter's body in the basement, a cord around her neck and duct tape over her mouth.

Police said Saturday no evidence of a break-in has been found.

Though police have released little information about the case, several details have emerged, including:

Sources close to the investigation who asked not to be identified told CNN the girl was sexually molested before being murdered.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that neither of JonBenet's parents were the subject of child abuse complaints when they lived in the Atlanta area. The family moved to Boulder in 1991.

Unidentified sources in the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News said JonBenet's skull was fractured in the fatal attack and that a ransom note was apparently written on a pad of paper from inside the home.

A hot line has been established for anyone who can provide information about the case: 1-800-444-3776.

Related transcript:

Related stories:

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window