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20 years on

Could the murder of 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey finally be solved?

Two decades after her death, documentaries will be delving deeper into the details

THE mystery surrounding a six-year-old beauty queen who was found murdered in her family home could finally be solved, as the case is revisited two decades later.

A series of TV documentaries will attempt to unravel the facts and reveal the truth, ahead of the 20th anniversary of JonBenet Ramsey’s death.

 She was tragically found murdered in her family home on Boxing Day... when she was just six
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She was tragically found murdered in her family home on Boxing Day... when she was just sixCredit: Rex Features

It was one of the most publicised American police investigations of the 90s.

The tot’s body was discovered by her parents John and Patsy in the basement of her family home in Boulder, Colorado, on Boxing Day in 1996.

 Parents Patsy, John and their son Burke were initially the lead suspects
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Parents Patsy, John and their son Burke were initially the lead suspectsCredit: AP:Associated Press

The blonde child star had been reported missing eight hours earlier, when a ransom note for £90,000 was found.

She had been sexually assaulted, strangled with a cord, suffered a skull fracture, and left in the basement with her wrists bound, duct tape over her mouth, and covered with a blanket.

 JonBenet was a renowned beauty queen... despite being just six years old
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JonBenet was a renowned beauty queen... despite being just six years oldCredit: Rex Features
 The murder investigation gripped America for years
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The murder investigation gripped America for yearsCredit: Rex Features

JonBenet’s parents and older brother Burke were initially the lead suspects, but were cleared 12 years later in 2008 – because of new DNA evidence.

Patsy had passed away from ovarian cancer in 2006, at the age of 49, still under a cloud of suspicion.

The six-hour CBS series, called The Case of JonBenet Ramsey, will include interviews with experts who investigated the murder at the time.

While new, advanced forensics will also be used to delve deeper into the mystery.

 Retired FBI supervisory special agent Stan Burke will be speaking in the CBS show
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Retired FBI supervisory special agent Stan Burke will be speaking in the CBS showCredit: Getty Images

 

Speaking to the cameras, a retired FBI special agent says: "This little girl's homicide to this date has not been resolved. In my opinion, I think we can change that right now."

The show starts on September 18 – while Lifetime, Investigation Discovery and Dr Phil will also screen documentaries.

In the Investigation Discovery advert, the narrators say: “The police always thought somebody without the house did it.

 Will the truth FINALLY be revealed?
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Will the truth FINALLY be revealed?Credit: Rex Features

“Whoever did it was familiar with the family’s daily routine. Who was up with her in the middle of the night?”

As well as footage of JonBenet’s mum Patsey exclaiming: “I did not kill my child”, this documentary includes Burke’s previously ‘lost’ police interview.

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