Once Upon a December

More about the book

From the outset, the JonBenét Ramsey case was unlike any other investigation. On December 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey reported her daughter missing in a frantic 5:52 a.m. 9-1-1 call, claiming a ransom note demanded an unusual sum of $118,000 for JonBenét's return. No follow-up call was made to collect the ransom. Tragically, JonBenét's lifeless body was found that afternoon in a seldom-used room of the family's cellar by her father and a family friend, prompted by a detective's suggestion to search the area. She was discovered with tape over her mouth, a ligature embedded in her neck from a garrote made from a cord and a broken paintbrush. A piece of the same cord was loosely wrapped around her wrist. An autopsy later revealed a linear skull fracture, likely from a blunt force trauma, and some marks on her body were speculated to be from a stun gun, though this theory was contested by other investigators. A grand jury voted to indict JonBenét's parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, on charges of child abuse resulting in death, but then-District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to pursue the indictment. Sadly, it appears no one will be held accountable for JonBenét Ramsey's murder.