Another was Michael Helgoth, an electrician who worked at a nearby auto salvage yard. Karr had been living in Thailand, avoiding child pornography charges in the US. An Associated Press report from March 1997 stated that McReynolds and his wife, Janet, were initially questioned less than six weeks after the murder. How do you explain all the points in the crime scene of Patsy's.. inside the paint tray, the sticky side of the duct tape, embedded into the ligature? Olivas high school friend, Michael Vail claimed that Oliva had call him on the phone to confess that he had hurt a little girl. Can I ask you Ivy, did you live through the whole JonBenet murder saga as an adult while it was unfolding? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. ", The daughter: On December 26, 1974, twenty-two years before JonBent was reported kidnapped on December 26, 1996, the nine-year-old daughter of Janet McReynolds, the wife of Bill McReynolds, was kidnapped. John and other family members were cleared of suspicion through a handwriting test, but police couldnt conclusively determine if Patsy wrote the letter. Kolar scoured through lab and police reports, witness statements and other information when he took over the case. And apparently it starts out nice and then it gets up into this you left Santa Claus and, you know, went to all those fancy things and you came back to Santa Claus. For years, JonBent's parents, John and Patsy Ramsey were blamed for possibly having some involvement in their daughters murder. It wasnt until 2008 when the Boulder County District Attorneys office ruled that the Ramseys were no longer considered suspects thanks to newly developed DNA sampling and testing techniques. The victim in the story later dies in a hospital. Lacy was very suspicious of him and as far as I know he was eliminated to her satisfaction by DNA testing. I believe the killer was someone McReynolds knew and was possibly a "I didn't make the connection as much as I felt that this area should be investigated by the authorities because of the similarities between what I'd seen online [of child pornography] and the child's murder," he explained in .css-tjvzc4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;border-bottom:thin solid #6F6F6F;}.css-tjvzc4:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}an interview with the Computer Crime Research Center. Karr had been living in Thailand, avoiding child pornography charges in the US. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. So in this theory, did John lie about the chairs in the basement, or did the killer magically slip out among all the family and LE there? Helgoth was found dead shortly after JonBent's murder, and his death was ruled a suicide. Why not bring it with him? She was abused, tortured, and finally killed. On the very same day in 1974 - Boxing Day - McReynolds's nine-year-old daughter had been abducted with a friend, and had witnessed the sexual molestation of her friend. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Again, he is an individual who was involved with her, had an interest in her, was seen with her, shortly before the murder," original prosecutor Trip DeMuth told CNN. I felt very close to that little girl. Many sleuths believe that Helgoth had heard he was a suspect in the case, with a popular theory believing that it was his footprint at the crime scene. Stop it already, Yes. He had been living in the area on and off and when police allegedly found a magazine with pictures of the girl in his backpack. Any additional thoughts or insight would be appreciated. Though at one time JonBent's parents were questioned, they have maintained their innocence and in 2008 were officially cleared of any involvement in the murder, and were never the only people investigated. When I'm not writing, reading, or lost in the vortex that is the Internet, I can usually be found stuffing my face with food and obsessing over the nearest dog. Here are just a few of the stranger ones. JBR could just have been bragging. Well that's not surprising since anyone around back then would have been exposed to a massive amount "RDI" media spin. The story of the girls brutal murder is a hot topic of discussion as her killer was never brought to justice. The world also blames the Ramsey's for the murder, Santa Bill has been cleared so many time and youre still dragging his name through the mud. (Bill McReynolds), Good idea, I may take my ashes somewhere when I die too. JonBent Patricia Ramsey was a six-year-old beauty pageant contestant who was brutally murdered (and possibly raped) in her home, on the night of 25 to 26 December 1996. I thought it was a very odd thing to say.". He carried it to the hospital as a lucky charm during the surgery. His best finish came in the 2020 season opener at Daytona a runner-up finish, which was also his first top five in the series. Gosage took the good news back to the house, but Janet McReynolds told him, Stay out of our lives. The embarrassed cops got into their cars, and the official convoy slunk back down the mountain. Because of their proximity to the family, the couple was questioned in February of 1997 after returning from a vacation in Spain. Shortly after Ramsey was found dead, investigators pursued a number of suspects, including the 6-year-old's parents, Patricia and John Ramsey but the couple weren't the only suspects on the investigators' radar. In a June 1997 Denver Post article, a number of people who knew JonBent spoke to the outlet about what she was like as a person because the 6-year-old murder victim was far more than the pageant star whose glamour shots had been splashed across nearly every print and media outlet in the country. However, physical evidence suggested that those details were part of a set-up. The 2 1/2-page letter demanded that John withdraw $118,000 and wait for further instructions. The police quickly decide John and/or Patsy killed JonBenet. I was thinking Bill may have wanted to have a party at JBs house in order to unlock her balcony door. @mkmcreynolds1 I never knew I could feel so much love for someone until I met you. Gosage was met by an irate Jesse McReynolds, who said he was sick of you guys trying to frame my dad. Bill McReynolds, distraught, weeping, and saying, I didnt do anything, refused to come to the door. It wasnt until 2008 when the Boulder County District Attorneys office ruled that the Ramseys were no longer considered suspects thanks to newly developed DNA sampling and testing techniques. One of the most heated debates surrounding the case is the theory that JonBent might have been murdered by an intruder. It was nearly 20 years ago when the mysterious JonBent Ramsey murder case shocked, and mortified people around the world. She made a profound change in me. On the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey frantically called 911 after making a shocking discovery a ransom note was on the first floor of her home, and her 6-year-old daughter was nowhere to be found. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. Even more suspicious, McReynolds's middle daughter and her friend had been abducted 22 years prior to JonBent's death to the day. It's not easy to unpack all of that garbage and approach the case with fresh eyes. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Over the years, we gained knowledge of how the case was mishandled and the false stories that were leaked to the public etc so we changed our minds. (BPD Report # 1-645. Helgoth was tied to a supposed property dispute with the Ramsey family, which many theorize could have been a motive for possibly kidnapping JonBent. He was recovering from heart surgery and needed his wife to help so he could even do the Santa gig. Another mother also stated to BPD investigators that JonBent had told a playmate about a Secret Santa. He played Santa at the Ramseys in 94, 95 and 96. And Burke. In a very special episode of Listen Carefully, Sam and Lindsey welcome their first guest, Jill McReynolds, daughter of suspect Bill McReynolds. Both children were then released. John and Patricia Ramsey discussing information of their daughters death during a press conference Bill McReynolds suspect in JonBenet murder case. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The family friend, who died in 2002, was considered in JonBent's murder. Similarities between the Moscow student murders and the Press J to jump to the feed. JonBent Ramsey was 6 years old when she was murdered in her Boulder, CO home on Christmas night 1996. I believed IDI theory, but most people I knew did not. A lot like OJ. The McReynolds said at the time that the coincidences between their daughter's abduction, the play, and JonBent's death were all just coincidence. However, police later concluded that there was "simply no evidence" to support her claims. The 2 1/2-page letter demanded that John withdraw $118,000 and wait for further instructions. Police investigated a wide variety of individuals in relation to JonBenet Ramsey's murder, including Bill McReynolds, though McReynolds (who died in 2002) also maintained his innocence and was cleared of any involvement in her death. The Ramsey familys private investigator, Ollie Gray blasted the Boulder Police Department for not considering Oliva a credible suspect. The victim in the story later dies in a hospital. I felt very close to that little girl. Following the Ramseys exoneration thanks to new DNA technology, many hoped the killer would eventually be found. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Bill and Janet McReynolds say the only significance of their daughter's abduction to the Ramsey case, regardless of the dates, is that it underscores the compassion they feel for John and Patsy Ramsey. Other suspects included neighbor Bill McReynolds, a local Santa Claus who visited the Ramseys a few days before the girls death. You have her pad and a wrote it with her pen and can match her handwriting. Learn more about the latest eNASCAR event schedule, Go to BetCenter for the latest NASCAR odds, news and analysis, Kevin Harvick to appear on Stacking Pennies, 23XI Racing taps Travis Pastrana for Daytona 500 bid, Sellout grandstand, camping crowd heightens Daytona 500 anticipation. On the other hand, I know several people who seem like they have an axe to grind. "And because I'd been told by cyber-crime specialists that JonBent was precisely the kind of child, because of her beauty pageant experience, who could be sucked into the world of child porn. The correspondence took a disturbing turn, with Karr talking about his sexual fascination with JonBent. He died unexpectedly in 2002, after being cleared of all suspicion. To perhaps no one's surprise, this has been debunked multiple times, and prior to Katy Perry, the theory was that JonBent was actually Lady Gaga. JonBenet is not in her room. According to The Guardian, Bill McReynolds had written a note to JonBent, as Santa, days before her body was discovered. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS, Shock first photos inside Serena Williams' crumbling childhood home, Ana Walshe's pals reveal what 'delayed her fate' after husband charged, Child's body found in search for missing girl, 4, who was 'beaten to death', Missing woman's husband charged with murder after blood found in basement, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, JonBent Ramsey was strangled to death twenty-five years ago and her killer has never been brought to justice, John and Patsy Ramsey were prime suspects for years but were later exonerated when DNA testing had cleared them of any involvement, Investigators could not prove whether or not Patsy wrote the ransom note but she was later cleared by a federal court, Gary Oliva, a sex offender, was found with magazine photos of JonBent in his backpack when police arrested him on drug charges, John Mark Karr falsely confessed to killing JonBent in a 'love game' gone wrong but DNA had cleared him, Many people believe that an intruder killed JonBent but it has never been proven by police. She made a profound change in me. According to CNN, an original prosecutor on the Ramsey case claimed that Bill had given JonBent a card with the message: "You will receive a special gift after Christmas." Why wouldnt he hand it over at the storage unit versus going back to the house? (Thomas), McReynolds "had written a card to JonBenet that was found in her trash can after the murder. Police collect DNA samples from Bill McReynolds Bill McReynolds dressed up as Santa Claus at the Ramseys' Christmas party on December 23. Almost 20 years after the 6-year-old child beauty queen was found brutally murdered in the basement of her family's home, it seems like almost everyone has a theory as to who did it or what happened. )(Woodward), When his own daughter was ten years old, she and another girl were kidnapped, and the friend was molested before both girls were released. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. ", While at first, Singular's theory might seem a little far-fetched, it's not completely out of the realm of possibility: One of the former suspects in the case, Gary Howard Oliva, was arrested last June after he uploaded several sexually explicit photographs of children to his email account. "She [the California woman] had no direct knowledge of anything that may have occurred the night JonBent died," Police Chief Mark Beckner told the Denver Post. He kept saying it was only a matter of time before they are arrested. Yet, when the case was reopened in 2009, the intruder theory was brought once again as a possible option. Just because he saw JonBenet last? In August 2006, a 41 year old elementary school teacher falsely confessed to the murder of JonBenet but investigations proved him to have no connection with the case. The South Carolina native got engaged over the weekend to Kendall McReynolds, daughter of two-time Daytona 500 winning-crew chief and NASCAR on FOX analyst Larry McReynolds. He went through the Ramsey's mail and saw Johns pay-stubs. But they also know that he couldn't have written the note and they know that neither one of them wrote it or did anything wrong because they were together the entire time. Barry Williams/Getty Images News/Getty Images, will air a six-hour, three-part documentary. Nope. No New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The Best Valentines Day TV Episodes For Kids, Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Have Welcomed Their New Baby, Prince Harry Says Hes Worried One Of Prince Williams Kids Will End Up As The Spare, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Karr had reached out to University of Colorado Boulder professor, Michael Tracey through email. My thoughts on The Amy Attack, The "Trinity" assault, the Ramsey experts and insane overconfidence, Pop Mystic - Search TV Show and Movie Scripts. Because almost none of it is supported by anything - there is nothing to imply that McReynolds was interested in snuff movies, could have hired a killer, that the killer recorded anything, etc. McReynolds is described as the man hired by Patsy to play Santa Claus at the Ramsey family's Christmas parties in 1995 and 1996. The only play the public has been made aware of was Hey Rube which was based on the true story ofSylvia Likens, a young girl who was held captive in an Indiana basement in 1965. Red flags everywhere, as far as the eye can see. Was it an intruder? A. James Kolar, who led the case investigation for the Boulder DAs office for nine months, believes its unlikely the girl was killed by an intruder. Santa Claus, A.K.A Bill McReynolds recruited a younger male to kill JonBenet and film it or take pictures for him. Heres How to Shop for Them, an interview with the Computer Crime Research Center, Gary Howard Oliva, was arrested last June, he was allegedly carrying a photograph of the child beauty queen. She was abused, tortured, andfinally killed. (BPD Reports #1-1874, #26-144, #1-41, #1-162, #1-204, #1-304, #1-2622, #5-297, #5-371, #5-2202) Could that Secret Santa have been the killer and someone JonBent knew? He takes pictures of her dying and possibly records it. He was arrested on drug charges but was soon released. Another eerie were officially cleared of any involvement in the murder, JonBenet Ramsey's murder, including Bill McReynolds, the man hired by Patsy to play Santa Claus at the Ramsey family's Christmas parties, McReynolds and his wife, Janet, were initially questioned, police sources never considered he or Janet "serious" suspects. Promise. They filmed him on the 21st and 22nd of December and left before the party on the night of the 23rd. His wife once wrote a play about a child being molested and murdered in a basement. McReynolds explained to theDaily Camera that it was "a fictionalized account of the 1965 torture and murder of Sylvia Likens in Indiana" and had nothing to do with JonBent. "I will never forget we were walking toward his house and he said, 'I wonder what it would be like to crack a human skull.' The McReynolds supposedly refused a search of their house and the police never pursued a search warrant. His best chance was to work with us, so he became a picture of cooperation. According to a 1999 New York Post article, McReynolds was a retired journalism professor and a close friend of the Ramseys. Many of the similarities between the Ramsey case and McReynolds' play come from these allegations of sexual molestation. The killer resembled JonBenet's brother John Andrew. ", In 2000, a California woman told police that she believed the same child sex ring that she'd been a victim of as a child was responsible for JonBent's death due to similarities in how they'd been tied up. Another eerie-sounding connection theory, is that Janet McReynolds had allegedly written a play about a young girl who had molested, tortured and killed in a basement in 1976. The woman said that on Christmas Eve day in 1996, JonBent said Santa had told her he was going to make a secret visit to her after Christmas. You could arguably do this whole thing again if JBR doesn't say anything. He knew they were at the party and he knew how to get into the Ramsey's home because McReynolds told him. However, amongother things, the book largely relies on the belief that JonBent's cause of death was head trauma, but in reality, the autopsy revealed that it was asphyxiation. Not be posted and votes can not be cast information of their house and the police never pursued a of... 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