JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation

BEWARE May Contain Some Spoilers Steve Thomas has written a true crime story that reads like a fictional crime novel. Steve had a great grasp of the facts and actions during the time he served as a Boulder Police Detective—but does he go far enough? I truly enjoyed the way Steve composed this book and it was a pleasure to read. I was right there with him as he took us through the clues and the way the BPD and DA/AG/CBI handled these clues. I can only imagine the frustration BPD felt when after rescuing a bungled crime scene investigation to the point where a trial should have been the next logical step; the BPD was literally thrown under the bus. The BPD got more respect and support from Georgia’s criminal investigation system than they did from their own internal incompetent leadership (especially Alex Hunter) and others working the case in Colorado. The “intruder” line of reasoning makes no sense and it is very easy to see within these pages whom Steve thought did the crime and why. With all the information that we are given in the book, it’s easy to see where Steve was looking for the guilty party. I too fell into lock step with him as the case continued. I was a little surprised there wasn’t more pressure applied to the soiling and bed wetting revelation. This type of behavior is common in incest and other sexual abuse patterns and should have been pursued more fervently. It may have pointed to the correct killer; instead we follow what appear to be the breadcrumbs that lead us to a complicit member of the murderer’s group. It is only now, after the passing of Patsy and some additional information regarding Burke’s (JonBenét’s 9 year old brother at the time of her death) behavior that I began to realize that Burke is likely the true killer. Burke was spoiled, he had serious anger issues, he was jealous of JonBenét, and his past acts included hitting JonBenét on the head with a golf club, leaving a scar. His mother and father formed a circle of protection around him and he was never considered as the killer until much later. Whether Steve Thomas still holds forth the belief that it was Patsy or whether he has changed his mind based on later information is unknown. While I believe Patsy wrote the ransom note, I do believe Burke was the killer who struck his sister with a flashlight. Since Burke’s act could be considered unintentional, (he didn’t intend to kill her—he’s only 9 years old!) I don’t understand why the Ramseys didn’t just come out from the beginning with what really happened. Living with this lie will eventually eviscerate Burke if he is the true murderer. Something Steve said in his book stays with me and I think he was on the money when he stated: “It was institutional idiocy, and in my opinion, there are several people in Boulder who are going to have to beg their way into heaven after this one.”

This book is incredible. Every page I turned I was learning more and more. This book really helped clear up any rumors and facts surrounding the case that I thought I knew. A real eye opener. I commemorate Steve Thomas for his work and writing this book. If you are at all interested in the case, want to know more; even if you think you’re educated on the subject…this book is a must read.

Former Boulder Police detective Steve Thomas gives his expertise and theories on the infamous crime in JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation. The book presents the Patsy Ramsey–did-it theory while remaining deeply rooted in investigative detail. The chapters are full of interesting tidbits, shocking facts, and beautifully written sentences. The descriptions of the Ramsey house decorated for Christmas are a striking juxtaposition to the horror of the murder of the young pageant winner. A history of the father’s accumulation of wealth in the computer industry is also explored, raising lingering questions: Was it a jealous business rival? A stalker from Boulder, Colorado? Someone who knew the Ramseys? Who killed JonBenét Ramsey? This is the definitive book for anyone studying the case, no matter what theory you believe. Go in with an open mind—it is clear that Steve Thomas put an enormous amount of work into both the investigation and this book. I recommend ordering it on Amazon, curling up with some classic true crime, and hoping that this cold case, now decades in the making, will finally be solved through DNA evidence.

The amount of information this man is able to recall about his time working on the Ramsey case is astonishing. I believe he discounts the possibility of anyone but the mother being the murderer very quickly and while evidence suggests she participated in staging the crime scene it is unclear who did what exactly. His insight into the frankly bizarre relationship between the Ramsey attorneys and DAs office provided some much needed perspective on how this case was derailed before it had begun. Overall, it's a good read for anyone wanting an insider's retelling of events.

A really fantastic book! Perfect details and very informative inside information about the terrible tragedy. The family of this young girl who left the world at someone els's hands did so wrong and will continue to do wrong until they come out with the truth! Only the truth can set JonBenet free so that her soul can rest in perfect peace!

I can only imagine Steve Thomas's life for almost two years as he travelled this journey, trying in earnest to prove who murdered this precious little girl. That was my only obstacle in reading it--I felt his frustration as if it were my own. He brilliantly documented his belief that Patsy Ramsey was the murderer at least in part, to the extent that I, as someone who manages to maintain a completely open mind in the interest of justice, believed his theories almost to entirety. I always felt she penned the "ransom note". On this day, I am quite certain of it.

Brilliant book though an incredibly frustrating read, because justice just was not done for this little girl and you are with the author every inch of the way and can almost feel the frustration and bitterness on every sentence, such is his anger at the investigation being stymied at every turn. It just proves that if you have enough money, power, influence and can instil fear in a politically driven prosecuting D.A.'s office, you can basically get away with murder.

I was a child myself when JonBenet was murdered, but I remember seeing her picture on every tabloid and newspaper in the checkout line and regular updates on the 6 o'clock news. That's why I was intrigued when I stumbled across this book by Steve Thomas, one of the investigators on the case. This was a well-written, in-depth look at the case. Thomas is up front about his bias and does an excellent job laying out his case. We may never know who really killed JonBenet, but this was an excellent behind-the-scenes look at the evidence that was available at the time.

This item was well written and went into great detail. It revealed great flaws in the local judicial system and prejudice against the police investigation. A revealing read!