Director behind Netflix's new JonBenét Ramsey murder documentary explains why he thinks her family is innocent
The director of Netflix's new JonBenét Ramsey documentary believes the family of the murdered six-year-old is innocent.
Joe Berlinger spoke out about his reasoning ahead of the release of his documentary series, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey.
The true crime Netflix three-parter looks back at the brutal 1996 murder that shocked the US - and the world - as well as the police's 'mishandling' of the case.
JonBenét's father, John Bennett Ramsey, is among the key figures interviewed in the new series.
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The young beauty pageant queen was murdered after her family received a ransom note demanding $118,000 for her safe return.
She was just six years old when she was abducted from her home in Boulder, Colorado, on Boxing Day (December 26) in 1996 - having been beaten, sexually assaulted, and then strangled to death in their home.
Police were able to recover a murder weapon which was used to kill JonBenét - a garrotte - and after examining it, they recovered the DNA of an unknown male.
However, JonBenét's father John Bennett claims in the new documentary that Boudler Police Department failed to test this DNA - one of a number of accusations of mishandling against the authorities in this case.
And almost three decades on, JonBenét's murder remains unsolved.
Countless theories have circulated online since, with internet sleuths pointing the finger at JonBenét's family, including her parents John Bennett and Patsy Ramsey.
But Berlinger, whose previous work includes The Ted Bundy Tapes, told the New York Post: "I am firmly convinced that the Ramsey family is innocent. And I am also firmly convinced that this case can be solved, if the Boulder Police Department finally does what it’s supposed to do."
He added that he believes many 'likely suspects' were ruled out at the time of the murder, because of the faulty DNA analysis at the time. But he explained: “I think all suspects now have to be put back on the table, including the Ramseys.
"And they would be the first ones to say, ‘Sure, put this back on the table, but let’s do the DNA testing.’ This is not trial by television. I don’t want to do to people what was done to the Ramseys."
On John Bennett taking part in the documentary, Berlinger said: "John Ramsey agreed to sit down with us, did not ask to be paid, and was not paid — we don’t pay our subjects — and asked for no editorial input.
"No questions were off limits. To me, that is an 80-year-old guy who…wants to get that case solved. It’s just unthinkable that the family had anything to do with this.”
On who he reckons could've been responsible for the murder, Berlinger told the publication: “Sadly, there are a lot of people in the world who are attracted to little girls, and can do horrible things to them. [An intruder] is a much more plausible scenario than the family having been involved, if you look at some of the basic facts in the case.”
JonBenét's mom, Patsy, died from ovarian cancer at the age of 49 in 2006, never knowing who murdered her daughter.
Boulder Police Department previously told UNILAD: “The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts,” Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said.
“We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey is streaming now on Netflix.
Topics: Crime, Film and TV, Netflix, True crime, US News
Ellie Kemp