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Back to Intruder Theories
Acquaintance Sexual Predators
Acquaintance Pedophile Stalkers
- Erotomania is another possible motivation. Suspects have included John Mark Karr, Randy Simons and the as-yet-unidentified assailant of a 14 year old who attended the same dance studio as JBR.
"Amy" Attacker
The "Amy" Attacker Theory
- Another possibility is the intruder who, just 9 months after JBR's murder, surreptitiously entered a house while mother and daughter (known as "Amy") were present and sexually assaulted a 14 year girl who attended the Dance West, the same dance studio attended by JBR; this raises the possibility that the same individual stalked JBR after noticing her at the studio.
Incriminating Evidence Against the "Amy" Attacker
- * 14-Year Old Dancer. "Nine months after the slaying of JonBenet Ramsey, a girl who attended the same dance studio as the young beauty queen and lived just two miles away was assaulted in her bed by an intruder while her mother slept nearby." Possible similarities to the JBR killing include:
- Attended Same Dance Studio. Girl performed at same dance studio as JBR took lessons: Dance West. Thus perp may have seen both girls at the same location.
- Public Performances. Like JBR, Amy had performed in several public functions in Boulder in the year before her death, giving the perp another potential opportunity or motive for targeting her.
- Close Proximity in Space and Time to JBR Killing. Amy lived 2 miles from Ramseys and the assault occurred on Sept. 14, 1997, only 9 months after JBR died.
- Ease of Entry May Denote Prior Experience. "He was like a ghost," recalls Amy's father. "We couldn't figure out where he came from, or where he went." "By the time the Boulder police arrived, the man was long gone. Because the intruder had gotten in and out of the house so easily, Amy's father began to think this wasn't the first time he had done something like this."
- Family Away When Perp Entered House. The family was out of the house from late afternoon on the eve of the crime, until after dark. "That night, Amy's father was out of town. After catching a movie, Amy and her mother returned home late. What they didn't know when they entered the house was that there was already an intruder inside" (CBS News).
- Perp Waited 4-6 Hours Before Entering Bedroom. The intruder may have waited at least four hours before entering Amy's second-floor bedroom. "Amy's father, who asked that his identity be obscured, agreed to talk about what happened that night: "My feeling is he got into the house while they were out and hid inside the house, so he would have been in there for perhaps four to six hours, hiding" (CBS News).
- Sexual Assault Occurred at Night While Parent Sleeping. The perp found Amy in bed and assaulted her in the house while mother was sleeping. "Before going to bed, Amy's mother turned on the burglar alarm. Around midnight, Amy woke up to find a man standing over her bed, his hand over her mouth. "She remembered the intruder addressing her by her name," says Peterson. "He said, 'I know who you are.' He repeated those things a few times, apparently. 'I'll knock you out. Shut up.'" (CBS News).
- Sexual Assault Included Digital Penetration and Oral Sex. Amy was sexually assaulted by penetration of finger or object and orally.
****Exculpatory Evidence Favoring the "Amy" Attacker****
- Age Discrepancy. Pedophiles typically focus on victims of similar age. Normally, a pedophile whose interest was in 6 year olds would not be particularly interested in 14-year-olds.
- No "Personal" RN Left in Amy Attack. This theory does not explain the ransom note containing "personal" language directed at John Ramsey; no similar ransom note was found in the "Amy" case, although it is not clear how things would have turned out had the mother not interrupted the attack. "Peterson says Amy's mother heard whispering, and proceeded through the doorway, and saw a person, who just brushed her aside and quickly made his escape by jumping out a second-floor window" (CBS News).
John Mark Karr
Randy Simons
The Randy Simons Theory
- One possible such suspect is Randy Simons, a photographer who had taken pictures of JBR and who behaved strangely following her death. A discussion about Simons is on-line.
Street Santa
The Street Santa Theory
- Private investigator Brenda Sierean "believes the killer is a street or mall Santa who JonBenet met — and is also a hunter or trapper. Sieren sent her study to retired Colorado homicide cop Lou Smit, for years a lead detective on the JonBenet case. Smit found it so compelling he interviewed Sieren, then hand-delivered her information to Boulder D.A. Mary Lacy."
Incriminating Evidence Against Street Santa
Exculpatory Evidence Favoring Street Santa
Arapahoe Suspect
The Arapahoe Suspect Theory
- Internet poster Jameson claimed on December 10, 2001 that she had provided DNA samples on 3 "reasonable suspects." Details are at acandyrose.com
Pedophile Sex Ring
Pedophile Sex Ring Theories
- Singular Theory. Some believe there was a pedophile sex ring operating in Boulder and that this best explains what happens. Stephen Singular has probably best-articulated the possibilities in a book (Singular 1999); a summary of his theory is found in this interview with CourtTV. More details are provided in this unedited IRC chat.
- Ravitz Petition to Grand Jury. An individual named Evan Ravitz unsuccessfully petitioned to present this theory to the Boulder Grand Jury.; a version of this letter with live links to supporting documents is here.
- Internet Poster Theories. In some theories, it is presumed that certain family members were aware of this sex ring and perhaps even enabled its operation (see Alex Constantine's theory and Aussiesheila's posts #6 and #14 as examples).
- Snuff Film Theory. Others believe JBR was killed as part of a "snuff film" for hire, but there is no evidence of snuff films in general much less any evidence of such a film on the Internet. The sheer notoriety of JBR's death makes it improbable that someone would not have tried to "cash in" on the commercial value of such a film by trying to make it more broadly available than to the client who ordered it.
Evidence in Favor of Pedophile Sex Ring Theory
Evidence Against the Pedophile Sex Ring Theory
Acquaintance Serial Killers
Annie Muss Suspect
The Annie Muss Theory
- Annie Muss was an Internet poster who posted briefly in mid-2003 claiming to know the killer. S/he answered a number of detailed questions about the perp's characteristics (young, strong, lived near Ramseys) and then ended the discussion by saying: "I have been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The most frustrating thing is I understand my condition, but I still believe I lived in Boulder in 1996, contrary to where my friends and family tell me I was. Because of my awareness regarding my condition I must tell you that there is a possibility that what I say is a delusion, but if it helps, I still believe it is the truth. I feel badly for lying to all of you. The experiment is over."
- Means. "I believe he used a baseball bat, this was his weapon of choice in other arenas."
- Motive. "There was much to his motive, but we’ll leave it at an expression of freewill accompanied by an overwhelming desire to plot and commit a notorious crime."
- Opportunity. He lived more than 1 mile and less than 4 from Ramseys and had a car. Five days a week he was within a quarter mile of the Ramsey’s home.
Incriminating Evidence Against Annie Muss
- The full exchange of emails posted by Annie Muss is at jonbenetindexguide.com.
Exculpatory Evidence Favoring Annie Muss
"Candy Cane Man"
The "Candy Cane Man" Theory
Incriminating Evidence Against "Candy Cane Man"
- Confessed to Stealing Ramsey Candy Cane 1 Week After Murder. "There is one man, who investigators refer to as the "Candy Cane Man," who had one of the decorative candy canes that lined the Ramsey's front walk on the night of the murder. He says he removed the item a week after the murder "because it was there." (CBS News).
- Candy Canes Missing the Day JBR Body Discovered. "But it turns out that some of the canes were missing the next day, when JonBenet's body was discovered" (CBS News).
- JBR Obsession? "Investigators fear they may have been taken by the killer or killers as a bizarre souvenir –- which led to this man, who admitted he once had an obsession with JonBenet, and built a shrine to her that he now keeps on his computer.
- Serial Killer Obsession? "He also has a fascination with infamous killers, particularly serial killer John Wayne Gacy." (CBS News).
Exculpatory Evidence Regarding "Candy Cane Man"
- No DNA Match. "This year [2005], he voluntarily gave investigators a DNA sample, and was cleared when it didn't match the Ramsey crime scene DNA."
Individuals Seeking Revenge
Disgruntled Access Graphics Worker
The Jeff Merrick Theory
This possibility is discussed here and here. Jeff Merrick, a former friend of John Ramsey's, was once thought a suspect, but apparently was in Louisville on the night JBR was killed. Merrick was investigated by BPD; a fuller account is in this radio interview (mp3 audio file transcribed by acandyrose.com).
Motivation. Internet poster [Deb (post #1207) suggested Merrick was angry about being fired in 1996 because they could not justify his salary, yet John received an $118,000 bonus that year; she believes this gave Merrick the strongest motive among those being considered. Schiller (1999) also claims that Merrick was in a dispute with Access Graphics over a monetary amount that approximated $118,000, but Merrick has explicitly denied this.
Means.
Opportunity.
Incriminating Evidence Against Jeff Merrick
- Internet poster Deb (post #1207) has provided the following list of incriminating evidence regarding Merrick:
- Threats Against John. Merrick once stated that he was going to bring John down.
- $118,000 Ransom. He would have know about the $118,000 from CFO Tom who he was still friends with
- Helgoth Connection. Merrick possibly hired Helgoth to kidnap and kill JBR, and then killed Helgoth to shut him up.
- Refused Lie Detector. Merrick also refused to take a lie detector test (Schiller 1999:127; quote and source provided by Internet poster ClearingHaze).
- Bible Verse. Bible verse's regarding a someone they considered a friend turning on them - this would fit Merrick.
Exculpatory Evidence Favoring Jeff Merrick
- Alibi. "On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 31, Detectives Patterson and Weinheimerinterviewed Merrick at his home in Louisville [Colorado], just fifteen minutes from the Ramseys' house. Merrick told the police that he and his wife, Kathy, had spent Christmas with Kathy's brother-in-law in Aurora and in the afternoon had visited their friends Dick and Dianne Foote. The Merricks went home at about 8:00 and watched TV until they went to bed." (Schiller 1999:67; quote and source provided by Internet poster ClearingHaze).
- Internet poster Deb (post #1207) has provided the following list of exculpatory evidence regarding Merrick and a possible accomplice:
- They probably would not have been aware of the backstairs being the primary stairway.
- They would not have been able to have get JBR downstairs unless she was sleeping, because it's unlikely she would have gone anywhere with a stranger. Deb does not believe JBR was stunned in her room.
- They would not have known the dog was gone, but may not even have been aware that they had a dog.
- For whatever reason,reasons we are not aware of, Thomas doesn't think there is a chance Merrick was involved.
Other Disgruntled Access Graphics Employees
- Other possible disgruntled Access Graphics include:
- Paul Sherer (fired for smoking in 1994; see acandyrose.com for details)
- Apple Repairman (fired from Access Graphics for assault; see acandyrose.com for details)
Disgruntled Lockheed Martin Worker
Disgruntled Access Graphics Competitor
The Disgruntled Access Graphics Competitor Theory
- Internet poster Athena has suggested "I believe that SBTC may stand for Small Business Technology Coalition. It was founded in 1995 by Mariann Hamm to pull together small businesses in order to better compete with larger companies in the industry. Even Microsoft joined this forum. As I've mentioned before I also believe that what happened to JBR was spurred by the recent Access Graphics announcement and following are my reasons. I've also linked to articles that were released in mid-1996 referring to this coalition: SBTC and I also work in the industry."
Motivation. "OK – I am still trying to piece all of this together in my head. My line of thinking is that someone was really angry with John and the Access Graphics Company and with the press release about them hitting the $1B mark just triggered the events that were to take place. This person may have seen his entire revenue base disappear -- maybe even to the point of bankruptcy or close to it and JR may not have even been aware of the fact that he have unknowingly slighted someone that had been in direct competition of Access Graphics."
"I think it may have been someone already in a small business environment that was holding its own say against companies like Access Graphics -- but with the boom of the internet those small companies started disappearing (much like mom and pop shops of today) because they just could not compete in a market that had the sophistication of the kind of networking needed to offer their customers technology needed to grow in this rapidly expanding industry."
"SUN is one of the largest global companies that was able to provide those needs and Access Graphics had a partnership with them and were able to offer the kinds of servers and back-end security needed based on UNIX. Even Microsoft back then was unable to meet those demands during this initial startup because they just did not have the engineering sophistication and operating software necessary to compete with these UNIX based servers and that lack of engineering sophistication greatly hurt small businesses trying to compete in this industry."
Athena has suggested additional reading that may be found here; here; and here.
"'Sun remains king of the hill, despite the fact that its top-end E10000 "Starfire" server has been on the market for two years. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based company was in the right place at the right time, focusing on Unix servers just as corporations began embracing the online medium and at a time when HP, Compaq and IBM were hedging their bets on Microsoft’s rival Windows NT server operating system. But the latter simply couldn't catch up with Unix quickly enough and ironically now faces competition from Linux'" (source).
Disgruntled Law Enforcement
The Disgruntled Law Enforcement Theory
- Some argue that the perp must have been in law enforcement in order to successfully stage the crime.
- Pugh Theory. One well-articulated theory along these lines, although it does not point to a particular suspect, is Donald Pugh's analysis which identifies a middle-aged white female as the most likely suspect. See also Liam1306's posts as another example of a perp who may have been in law enforcement.
Disgruntled Teen
The Disgruntled Teen Theory
Internet poster Victory (post #13) has postulated that the perp "is older yet acquainted with Burke. He may have a sister the age of JonBenét. His father is overbearing; yet, aspires to wealth like John Ramsey. He and his family have lived in Boulder all of his life, and here come the Ramseys, making the headlines, making the big bucks in just a few short years; OUTSIDERS making it good. Just who do they think they are? The Ramseys seem to have it all: fat cats from GA; JonBenét, the Christmas Parade Princess; large candy canes lining their walkway. I’ll show them. I’ll get that little princess and… I’m bored anyway; I’ve been out of school for nine days; I need a thrill; I’ll show my dad just how bad I am, and he’ll never know. My secret will be my power over him, and the Ramseys will no longer be the only “fat cats” in town. I will be “victorious” in more ways than one. S.B.T.C."
Neighbors
Glenn Meyers (Barnhill's Boarder)
The Glenn Meyer Theory
- Who Was Glenn Meyers? Meyers was a boarder living with nearby neighbors, the Barnhills, at the time BR was killed.
- TGRB Questions. Internet poster TGRB has posted a series of questions WebbSleuths that illuminates why some suspect Glenn Meyers.
Alley Housesitter
The Alley Housesitter Theory
- Who Was the Alley Housesitter? "the house across the alley was occupied by a house-sitter during that Christmas. This man disappeared within days after the twenty-sixth" (Ramseys 2000:202); details at acandyrose.com
Government Plot
CIA Plot
This has been outlined in some detail here.
Robert Pachaly (Government Assassin)
The Robert Pachaly Theory
- Internet poster Mikie has stated: "In my opinion the real killer was a bastard brother of Bill, who was "the bad Santa clause" that night, AKA Robert McReynolds or Robert Pachaly Jr, also cousin to Janet. His identity will forever remain secret as a homicidal maniac government assassin and hit man, amongst law enforcement, (or at least amongst some circles) and he is not to be mentioned, period, (RHGC was the only person to investigate him thoroughly). So it does not surprise me that Bill and Janet were cleared, as was Fleet, by the miniscule circle of those who are involved in the investigation. Until he is even mentioned as a suspect, I know the conspiracy to protect him is solid as a rock."
Incriminating Evidence Against Robert Pachaly
Exculpatory Evidence Regarding Robert Pachaly
- Internet poster koldkase, who claims to have met Pachaly, has expressed extreme skepticism regarding the claim that Pachaly was involved.
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