Theory Thursday

Theories, Suspects, and Secrets Still Buried in Boulder

“A child beauty queen. A ransom note. A murder in a mansion. And three decades of no answers.”

Welcome to Theory Thursday, where we crack open the case files and pull out the wildest, most debated, and most disturbing theories in true crime. Today, we dive into one of America’s most haunting cold cases: the murder of JonBenét Ramsey.

The Crime

On December 26, 1996, 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was reported missing from her home in Boulder, Colorado. Her mother, Patsy Ramsey, found a ransom note on the stairs demanding $118,000. Hours later, JonBenét’s body was discovered in the basement — bound, gagged, and brutally killed.

What followed was a media circus, a botched investigation, and a divided public that still can’t agree on who killed JonBenét.

The Leading Theories

The Intruder Theory

Theory: A stranger broke into the Ramsey home through a basement window, committed the murder, and left without a trace.

• DNA found on JonBenét's underwear didn’t match any family members.

• A boot print and unidentified male DNA added credibility.

• Critics argue: Why write a long ransom note from inside the house?

Pros: Physical evidence supports unknown male DNA
Cons: No signs of forced entry or items stolen

The Ramsey Family Theory

Theory: Someone in the house — possibly Patsy, John, or even Burke Ramsey — was responsible for the murder and staged the crime scene.

• The ransom note was written on a notepad from the home.

• The note’s amount — $118,000 — matched John's recent bonus.

• Behavior during interviews raised eyebrows (lack of emotion, inconsistent answers).

• Some speculate Patsy accidentally killed JonBenét and covered it up.

Pros: Suspicious behavior, staged elements
Cons: No direct physical evidence linking them

Burke Did It

Theory: 9-year-old Burke Ramsey killed JonBenét in a fit of rage, and the parents covered it up.

• A bowl of pineapple (his favorite snack) was found in the kitchen.

• Some believe a head injury from a flashlight or toy train was accidental.

• CBS aired a controversial documentary supporting this theory in 2016.

Pros: Explains lack of outsider involvement
Cons: No confession or clear motive; defamation lawsuits followed

The Stun Gun Theory

Theory: The marks on JonBenét’s body may have come from a stun gun, suggesting an abductor brought equipment and planned the attack.

• Some experts claim the spacing of the wounds matches a stun gun.

• Others say the marks could be from household objects or postmortem damage.

Pros: Adds to the intruder narrative
Cons: No stun gun was ever found

Where It Stands

More than 25 years later:

• No one has been charged.

• The case remains open.

• New DNA testing methods are under review.

Final Thoughts

Theories swirl, but one truth remains: a little girl was murdered in her own home, and the world still doesn’t know who did it.

Until someone talks — or science speaks — the mystery of JonBenét Ramsey continues to haunt Boulder... and true crime communities everywhere.

Read more every Theory Thursday on
Killer Thoughts and Twisted Plots