Police Reveal ‘Odd’ Details About JonBenét Ramsey’s ‘Fake’ Ransom Note in Netflix Series.
Interest in the JonBenét Ramsey case has surged once again following the release of Netflix's docuseries, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey? Police have stated that the ransom note discovered by JonBenét’s late mother, Patsy Ramsey, was “bogus.”
During the premiere episode of the three-part series on Monday, November 25, former Boulder police detective Jeff Kithcart shared, “I was reviewing the notebook with Patsy’s handwriting and found a whole sheet of paper still attached that looked like the initial ransom note.”
Burke Ramsey and JonBenét Ramsey
He noted that it began with “Mr.” followed by what seemed to be the first stroke of an “R,” suggesting it could have been an early draft of the ransom note. Kithcart expressed his surprise at discovering that the note seemed to have originated from a notebook in the Ramsey home. The ransom letter from December 1996 demanded $118,000 for JonBenét’s return, coincidentally the same amount Patsy had received as a work bonus.
Cash Demand
FBI agent Ron Walker commented in a 2006 interview, “It’s quite rare to see such a lengthy ransom note. Typically, they are brief and straightforward.” He highlighted the unusual cash demand, calling it a “really odd number to ask for.” Walker elaborated, “While $118,000 is a low amount, it’s also quite peculiar because it’s not what you would normally expect. Usually, you’d see figures like 200,000, 300,000, or even a million. But not 118,000.” He concluded by stating that the ransom note was “essentially bogus. It was not a genuine kidnapping note.”
JonBenét was discovered deceased and strangled in the basement of her home on December 26, 1996. The tragic death of the six-year-old beauty queen quickly captured national attention and has since become one of the most notable cold cases in the United States. Early that morning, Patsy, her mother, realized JonBenét was missing.
While preparing coffee, she stumbled upon a two-page note on the back staircase and promptly contacted the Boulder Police Department. When the authorities arrived, JonBenét’s father, John Ramsey, along with his friend Fleet White, assisted in searching the house, ultimately leading to the heartbreaking discovery of the young girl’s body in the spare basement.
Latest: JonBenét Ramsey Timeline
It was determined that JonBenét had been sexually assaulted prior to her death, and she was found with a cord loosely tied around her wrists. For 28 years, people have speculated about who might have killed JonBenét, as her murderer remains unidentified. Investigators ruled out her family as suspects after DNA evidence collected from JonBenét’s underwear and fingernails did not match her parents or her brother, Burke Ramsey. The DNA was linked to an unknown male, but unfortunately, the evidence was not sent for further testing.
John, 80, claimed that the Boulder Police Department has been "very hesitant to share any information with us" and added, "the only reasonable explanation for their refusal to continue testing is that they misplaced it." The ransom note in the JonBenét Ramsey case remains one of its most puzzling elements.
Update: Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing Delayed to January as Judge Reviews ‘17 Boxes’ of Evidence
Discovered by Patsy Ramsey on December 26, 1996, the two-page letter demanded $118,000, the exact amount of John Ramsey’s work bonus. Former FBI agent Ron Walker described the note as unusually lengthy and called the amount an “odd number” for a ransom. Investigators believe the note was written inside the Ramsey home, with former detective Jeff Kithcart identifying a potential draft in Patsy’s notebook. Experts have long deemed the letter “bogus,” suggesting it was staged rather than part of a genuine kidnapping attempt.
