John Bennett Ramsey is an American businessman, author, and father of JonBenét Ramsey—the six-year-old beauty queen whose tragic and mysterious death in 1996 captured national attention. For decades, John Ramsey has been a central figure in public discussions about the case, often scrutinized by media, law enforcement, and the general public. As time has passed and attention to the case resurges, many ask: Is John Bennett Ramsey still alive? This article provides a comprehensive, respectful update on his life, current status, and the lasting impact of one of the most notorious unsolved homicides in the United States.
Is John Bennett Ramsey Still Alive?
Yes, John Bennett Ramsey is still alive. As of 2025, he is 81 years old. Born on December 7, 1943, in Lincoln, Nebraska, John Ramsey continues to live privately in the United States, away from media glare. While he has largely withdrawn from public life, occasional interviews and public statements related to his daughter’s case still draw attention.
Ramsey is not currently facing any major reported health crises, and he remains engaged in advocating for justice in the murder of his daughter, JonBenét. His survival through personal tragedy and years of media scrutiny reflects both emotional resilience and a commitment to preserving his daughter’s memory.
Who Is John Bennett Ramsey?
John Ramsey is a retired businessman who formerly served as the president of Access Graphics, a computer services company based in Boulder, Colorado. Under his leadership, Access Graphics became highly profitable and was later acquired by Lockheed Martin. At the time of his daughter’s death in 1996, Ramsey was considered a wealthy and influential figure in the tech industry.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Michigan State University and served as a Navy officer in the Philippines during the Vietnam War. Despite his professional success, John Ramsey became widely known not for his business achievements, but due to the media attention surrounding his daughter’s unsolved homicide.
The Death of JonBenét Ramsey
JonBenét Patricia Ramsey was found dead in the basement of the family’s Boulder home on December 26, 1996. A ransom note had been left in the house, and her body was discovered hours later. Her death was ruled a homicide caused by asphyxiation and a blow to the head.
The case quickly gained international attention due to JonBenét’s involvement in child beauty pageants, the unusual ransom note, and conflicting details in the police investigation. Early media coverage heavily scrutinized John Ramsey and his wife, Patsy Ramsey, both of whom were treated as suspects for several years.
Although a grand jury voted to indict the Ramseys in 1999, the district attorney at the time declined to prosecute due to insufficient evidence. In 2008, the Boulder District Attorney officially cleared John, Patsy, and their son, Burke Ramsey, citing advanced DNA testing that pointed to an unknown male as the source of DNA found at the crime scene.
Public Scrutiny and Media Attention
The Ramsey family was subject to intense public suspicion, exacerbated by a combination of investigative missteps, sensational journalism, and public fascination with the case. John and Patsy Ramsey were frequently portrayed as suspicious figures in tabloids and documentaries, despite a lack of direct evidence linking them to the crime.
In the years following JonBenét’s death, John Ramsey made several media appearances to defend his family’s innocence and to advocate for justice. His son, Burke, also became a topic of speculation, particularly after CBS aired a 2016 documentary series that suggested possible involvement. This led to a high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by the Ramsey family, which was later settled confidentially.
Despite ongoing theories and speculation, no one has been arrested or charged in connection with JonBenét’s murder.
Personal Life After Patsy’s Death
John Bennett Ramsey’s wife, Patsy Ramsey, passed away in 2006 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Her death occurred two years before the family was formally cleared by the district attorney. John described her final years as a period of emotional and spiritual hardship, exacerbated by media scrutiny and the burden of unanswered questions.
After Patsy’s death, John lived a quieter life and gradually stepped away from public visibility. He reportedly moved to Michigan and later spent time in other parts of the country. He eventually remarried in 2011 to Jan Rousseaux, a fashion designer.
His later interviews have focused more on the importance of due process, media responsibility, and the need for modern forensic tools to be used in cold cases like JonBenét’s.
Business Background and Retirement
Before the events of 1996, John Ramsey was regarded as a skilled and successful business executive. He founded Access Graphics in 1989, a company that specialized in computer systems distribution. Under his leadership, Access Graphics earned over $1 billion in revenue by the mid-1990s and became a major regional employer.
He resigned from his executive position shortly after JonBenét’s death, citing the need to focus on his family and the legal proceedings that followed. He never returned to corporate leadership roles, instead dedicating his energy to defending his family’s name and pursuing the truth about his daughter’s murder.
Though largely retired, Ramsey remains active in causes related to criminal justice reform and victim advocacy.
Published Work and Public Statements
In 2000, John and Patsy Ramsey co-authored a book titled “The Death of Innocence: The Untold Story of JonBenét’s Murder and How Its Exploitation Compromised the Pursuit of Truth.” The book presented their version of events and criticized law enforcement and media for their handling of the case.
John has since expressed a desire to see the case reopened with modern DNA testing and new forensic technology. He has called for full transparency from the Boulder Police Department and continues to push for third-party involvement in the cold case review process.
He occasionally gives interviews to advocate for investigative reform, expressing concern about how mishandled investigations can harm victims’ families and destroy public trust.
The JonBenét Ramsey Case Today
Nearly three decades after the crime, the JonBenét Ramsey case remains unsolved. In recent years, advanced DNA techniques, including genealogical tracing, have renewed hope that new leads could emerge. However, no public breakthroughs have been announced as of 2025.
The Boulder Police Department has stated that the case remains active and under periodic review, with thousands of pieces of evidence cataloged and preserved. John Ramsey has urged police to allow more external agencies and independent labs to examine the case, expressing frustration over perceived delays and bureaucratic obstacles.
Public interest in the case continues through documentaries, podcasts, and news reports, many of which revisit the facts with new perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Bennett Ramsey still alive?
Yes, as of 2025, John Bennett Ramsey is alive and 81 years old. He currently resides in the United States and remains involved in advocating for justice in his daughter’s case.
What happened to JonBenét Ramsey?
JonBenét Ramsey was murdered in her home on December 26, 1996. Her killer has never been identified, and the case remains unsolved.
Was John Ramsey ever charged?
No, John Ramsey was never charged. In 2008, he and his family were officially cleared by the Boulder District Attorney based on DNA evidence.
Did John Ramsey remarry?
Yes, after the death of his wife Patsy in 2006, John Ramsey married Jan Rousseaux in 2011.
What is John Ramsey doing now?
John Ramsey lives a private life but occasionally speaks publicly to advocate for advances in cold case investigations and victim rights.
Conclusion
John Bennett Ramsey is still alive and continues to carry the legacy of his daughter JonBenét, whose unsolved murder remains one of the most haunting crimes in American history. Although he stepped back from his career and public life following the tragedy, he remains engaged in seeking justice and promoting accountability in law enforcement.
Despite decades of public scrutiny, legal battles, and personal loss, John Ramsey has remained consistent in his advocacy and his belief in the truth. As new forensic tools become available, he holds out hope—along with many others—that one day the case will be solved.