This was an excellent write up and mirrors a lot of my own thoughts on the case. Specifically the part where you say that all the things that happened to her could’ve been done by a child. I think anyone who hears about the case from the first time, can note the absurdity in all the things that happened that night and how juvenile and unserious it all seemed to be. Right down to pineapples and milk being had for a snack (I’ve never heard of ANYONE making this for themselves, and it sounds childish by its very nature).
The one question I continue to have is why do they keep speaking? It is frustrating to hear this family lie time and time again. The disservice they do to their daughter’s memory is beyond comprehension. And why lie about certain aspects of the case? Like Burke being asleep, or whether her shirt was red or white.
They were affluent people in an affluent community, and therefore were afforded a high level of trust when it came to the crime scene. Police never thought this affluent family who was involved in the community would have anything to hide, and thus they got away with a lot concerning the crime scene.
I think at this point, certain parties want to maintain the idea of innocence for the family, because it makes the police work look horrible by association as well. It makes them look bumbling and unprofessional.
At this point, I wish we’d move past trying to ask the Ramsey’s questions. They will never tell us the truth. Why they keep agreeing to interviews is another question entirely.
I don’t know how he can believe this though. Nearly anyone I’ve ever spoke to about this case (and this case is about 5 years older than me) has always said the family is suspect and continues to be suspect. I even remember South Park making fun of them!
They aren’t expert liars or something, they just keep shooting themselves in the foot and end up looking more suspect in the process. I wish they’d just go for the “no comment” route, so they could at least maintain some dignity.
haha, some people who believe it was Patsy/Burke and John got forced into the cover-up think he's dying and doesn't give a shit about protecting Burke anymore and is hoping people look into it and get the grand jury files released
This was such a good read. I'm so glad I took the time to take in ALL OF IT. I've made sure to send a link to everyone I know that's been interested in the case. It's the most compelling piece I've digested about the case in years and is the perfect thing to wash down the slop that was the Netflix doc.
No, seriously, thank you. I'm the same in that I consume True Crime through the 20/20s, Datelines and podcasts and will occasionally check out these docs on streaming, but I've been so tired of these uninformative, dragged out, biased True Crime series we've been getting on them recently. So it was truly refreshing to read something so concise and laid out that answered so many questions I've had for years and even new questions that arised after watching the series.
Since sharing your piece, I've even had some people ask if they should still watch the series or read your work instead. I recommended that if they're interested in the case, it's still a good idea to watch the Netflix series and then read your piece, just so you can better understand why the story they're pushing is BS even more. I've always been a BDI person, but it's been impossible for me to properly explain it to people who aren't as familiar with the case and think the theory is ludicrous, so I'm very glad to direct anyone to this now.
Also, I saw your tweet about maybe making a Tiktok/YT video. I agree, it would be a good idea to get it in some sort of video format. You presented your theory in a very compelling and digestible way that I think many people would be interested in hearing/seeing.
The Netflix doc convinced me it was John Mark Karr until I looked up the evidence surrounding him and re-read the pineapple evidence that had me believe it was Burke before. I don’t understand how any journalist could leave this out of the documentary or be okay with producing misleading content for the sake of profit.
It’s interesting to hear about the family friend, the suitcase and the open/closed window - he must have some choice words to say about John surely?
Do you know whether the photo of the embedded garrote in the Netflix doc was real? I can’t help but think Burke couldn’t have tightened it like that and can’t see why the parents would have added this after the head blow either.
The Netflix doc also said the autopsy suggested skull fracture and asphyxiation happened close to simultaneously but everywhere else I read the head blow happened first - do you know why this is?
I just can’t help but think how scared JonBenet must have been in that basement :(
I hope some good comes of the documentary and it progresses to finding who did this to her.
the head blow happened first and 45 minutes to 2 hours later someone strangled her according to the coroner. grand jury members said the amount of time between the blow to the head and the strangulation was way too suspect to be an intruder. it made them think it was two separate incidents (burke, then parents). The Ramseys need to say it's "unclear" which happened when so they look less suspect
I think your theory makes total sense. I was on the Burke did it but the family covered it up train after the CBS doco, then this Netflix one swayed me until I started talking with my partner about it and he mentioned this post (thank you! This is so well put together!). The only question I have about your theory though is that if Burke got the pineapple snack himself while everyone else was asleep, why wasn’t his fingerprints on the bowl? Wasn’t it only Patsy’s fingerprints?
I’m curious, Ashley, why you think Burke went on Dr. Phil at all? For attention and because he didn’t see Dr. Phil as a credible threat? (All fair, in my opinion.) We are the same age, and I remember seeing JBR’s picture on magazines at the grocery store, but this is the first time I’ve looked into it. Your theory seems the most credible, but am I wrong in thinking that in some ways, they were very sophisticated in covering their crimes and yet in others, they seem like total buffoons?
I think they thought Dr. Phil would be a softball interview and make them look good. He clearly had information the cops didn't know, so it probably would've been better if he talked to them, but the family always turns to the media when they want to present some kind of narrative.
I can see that. I think the juxtaposition between some of the more sophisticated tactics the parents used to cover up the crimes versus their flailing in the immediate aftermath just absolutely grabbing at straws, sounds like parents reeling with something their sick son did. Do you know if John’s children from his previous marriage ever came forward that they were abused themselves? What do they say he was like as a dad? Is it the dad you believe abused Burke and JBR first or someone else in Burke’s life that ramped up his latent sadistic impulses? Sorry, talk about throwing spaghetti on the wall. You just got me hooked.
His other kids say he was a great dad. His wife from his first marriage has never talked, but he hired a lawyer for her. I think the dad did the abuse because there are few people who had access to both kids. some people say the dad wasn't around enough because he worked a lot and didn't go to a lot of jonbenet's pageants or would go to the talent portion and if he had an inappropriate interest, he would've gone to more of them.
I mean, Burke could have been the only one that was abused and was then abusing JBR, right? That’s quite common. But I trust your instincts regarding the dad. He just seems like he wants to rat out his wife and son so badly. In a way that reads to me like his son disgusts him and his wife is complicit. But maybe I just need to see more interviews with him. I mean, child beauty pageants… woof. I’m so surprised people think it could be a stranger. What’s the saying that when you hear hoofbeats think horses not zebras? Horses people!
that's true too! someone could've been doing something to burke and the ramseys just knew burke was doing this to JBR and tried to cover it with the paintbrush. honestly, I go back and forth on john. sometimes it seems like he wants to throw patsy and burke under the bus. patsy and burke's prints are the only two on the last confirmed action of JBR (pineapple). they say it looks like John slept on his side of the bed, but Patsy had the same clothes on from the night before. I think John feels things wouldve gone differently if he had been awake and Patsy started the cover-up.
I just remembered the part where you discussed the sex crime panelists conclusion post mortem, and actually that would have had to of been an adult, right? Like, a child would not physically be able to cause those kinds of injuries. Or maybe he would? I don’t know. Burke seems quite disturbed. He didn’t have the physical strength to pull it off but that seemed like a sophisticated means of strangulation for a child. He fashioned a vice with a cord. But you have convinced me, without a doubt, that it was someone in the immediate family and the immediate family was all involved in covering it up.
*Note, I edited this on 11/29 at 9:57pm PST to add more links if you read it before that!
This was an excellent write up and mirrors a lot of my own thoughts on the case. Specifically the part where you say that all the things that happened to her could’ve been done by a child. I think anyone who hears about the case from the first time, can note the absurdity in all the things that happened that night and how juvenile and unserious it all seemed to be. Right down to pineapples and milk being had for a snack (I’ve never heard of ANYONE making this for themselves, and it sounds childish by its very nature).
The one question I continue to have is why do they keep speaking? It is frustrating to hear this family lie time and time again. The disservice they do to their daughter’s memory is beyond comprehension. And why lie about certain aspects of the case? Like Burke being asleep, or whether her shirt was red or white.
They were affluent people in an affluent community, and therefore were afforded a high level of trust when it came to the crime scene. Police never thought this affluent family who was involved in the community would have anything to hide, and thus they got away with a lot concerning the crime scene.
I think at this point, certain parties want to maintain the idea of innocence for the family, because it makes the police work look horrible by association as well. It makes them look bumbling and unprofessional.
At this point, I wish we’d move past trying to ask the Ramsey’s questions. They will never tell us the truth. Why they keep agreeing to interviews is another question entirely.
I think they genuinely think money and PR can control the narrative. John is dying and hopes a Netflix doc will protect Burke from the grave
I don’t know how he can believe this though. Nearly anyone I’ve ever spoke to about this case (and this case is about 5 years older than me) has always said the family is suspect and continues to be suspect. I even remember South Park making fun of them!
They aren’t expert liars or something, they just keep shooting themselves in the foot and end up looking more suspect in the process. I wish they’d just go for the “no comment” route, so they could at least maintain some dignity.
haha, some people who believe it was Patsy/Burke and John got forced into the cover-up think he's dying and doesn't give a shit about protecting Burke anymore and is hoping people look into it and get the grand jury files released
This was such a good read. I'm so glad I took the time to take in ALL OF IT. I've made sure to send a link to everyone I know that's been interested in the case. It's the most compelling piece I've digested about the case in years and is the perfect thing to wash down the slop that was the Netflix doc.
Thank you!!
No, seriously, thank you. I'm the same in that I consume True Crime through the 20/20s, Datelines and podcasts and will occasionally check out these docs on streaming, but I've been so tired of these uninformative, dragged out, biased True Crime series we've been getting on them recently. So it was truly refreshing to read something so concise and laid out that answered so many questions I've had for years and even new questions that arised after watching the series.
Since sharing your piece, I've even had some people ask if they should still watch the series or read your work instead. I recommended that if they're interested in the case, it's still a good idea to watch the Netflix series and then read your piece, just so you can better understand why the story they're pushing is BS even more. I've always been a BDI person, but it's been impossible for me to properly explain it to people who aren't as familiar with the case and think the theory is ludicrous, so I'm very glad to direct anyone to this now.
Also, I saw your tweet about maybe making a Tiktok/YT video. I agree, it would be a good idea to get it in some sort of video format. You presented your theory in a very compelling and digestible way that I think many people would be interested in hearing/seeing.
This was such a fascinating read! Someone needs to commission your documentary
Agreed!
wow i have never cared about this case before now. thank you for laying everything out so succinctly!
thank you!! a few updates to it just went live if you had any questions about the note, her room, the DNA, or Burke!
OK so I am upgrading to paid based on this alone. Thank you for your service!!!!
The Netflix doc convinced me it was John Mark Karr until I looked up the evidence surrounding him and re-read the pineapple evidence that had me believe it was Burke before. I don’t understand how any journalist could leave this out of the documentary or be okay with producing misleading content for the sake of profit.
It’s interesting to hear about the family friend, the suitcase and the open/closed window - he must have some choice words to say about John surely?
Do you know whether the photo of the embedded garrote in the Netflix doc was real? I can’t help but think Burke couldn’t have tightened it like that and can’t see why the parents would have added this after the head blow either.
The Netflix doc also said the autopsy suggested skull fracture and asphyxiation happened close to simultaneously but everywhere else I read the head blow happened first - do you know why this is?
I just can’t help but think how scared JonBenet must have been in that basement :(
I hope some good comes of the documentary and it progresses to finding who did this to her.
I dont think I can add pics here, but I have the timeline, ill add it
the head blow happened first and 45 minutes to 2 hours later someone strangled her according to the coroner. grand jury members said the amount of time between the blow to the head and the strangulation was way too suspect to be an intruder. it made them think it was two separate incidents (burke, then parents). The Ramseys need to say it's "unclear" which happened when so they look less suspect
wow wow wow this was amazing. you need to make a doc!
I think your theory makes total sense. I was on the Burke did it but the family covered it up train after the CBS doco, then this Netflix one swayed me until I started talking with my partner about it and he mentioned this post (thank you! This is so well put together!). The only question I have about your theory though is that if Burke got the pineapple snack himself while everyone else was asleep, why wasn’t his fingerprints on the bowl? Wasn’t it only Patsy’s fingerprints?
burke and patsy's fingerprints were on the bowl. just burke on the glass.
I’m curious, Ashley, why you think Burke went on Dr. Phil at all? For attention and because he didn’t see Dr. Phil as a credible threat? (All fair, in my opinion.) We are the same age, and I remember seeing JBR’s picture on magazines at the grocery store, but this is the first time I’ve looked into it. Your theory seems the most credible, but am I wrong in thinking that in some ways, they were very sophisticated in covering their crimes and yet in others, they seem like total buffoons?
I think they thought Dr. Phil would be a softball interview and make them look good. He clearly had information the cops didn't know, so it probably would've been better if he talked to them, but the family always turns to the media when they want to present some kind of narrative.
I can see that. I think the juxtaposition between some of the more sophisticated tactics the parents used to cover up the crimes versus their flailing in the immediate aftermath just absolutely grabbing at straws, sounds like parents reeling with something their sick son did. Do you know if John’s children from his previous marriage ever came forward that they were abused themselves? What do they say he was like as a dad? Is it the dad you believe abused Burke and JBR first or someone else in Burke’s life that ramped up his latent sadistic impulses? Sorry, talk about throwing spaghetti on the wall. You just got me hooked.
His other kids say he was a great dad. His wife from his first marriage has never talked, but he hired a lawyer for her. I think the dad did the abuse because there are few people who had access to both kids. some people say the dad wasn't around enough because he worked a lot and didn't go to a lot of jonbenet's pageants or would go to the talent portion and if he had an inappropriate interest, he would've gone to more of them.
I mean, Burke could have been the only one that was abused and was then abusing JBR, right? That’s quite common. But I trust your instincts regarding the dad. He just seems like he wants to rat out his wife and son so badly. In a way that reads to me like his son disgusts him and his wife is complicit. But maybe I just need to see more interviews with him. I mean, child beauty pageants… woof. I’m so surprised people think it could be a stranger. What’s the saying that when you hear hoofbeats think horses not zebras? Horses people!
that's true too! someone could've been doing something to burke and the ramseys just knew burke was doing this to JBR and tried to cover it with the paintbrush. honestly, I go back and forth on john. sometimes it seems like he wants to throw patsy and burke under the bus. patsy and burke's prints are the only two on the last confirmed action of JBR (pineapple). they say it looks like John slept on his side of the bed, but Patsy had the same clothes on from the night before. I think John feels things wouldve gone differently if he had been awake and Patsy started the cover-up.
I just remembered the part where you discussed the sex crime panelists conclusion post mortem, and actually that would have had to of been an adult, right? Like, a child would not physically be able to cause those kinds of injuries. Or maybe he would? I don’t know. Burke seems quite disturbed. He didn’t have the physical strength to pull it off but that seemed like a sophisticated means of strangulation for a child. He fashioned a vice with a cord. But you have convinced me, without a doubt, that it was someone in the immediate family and the immediate family was all involved in covering it up.