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Boulder police waiting to interview Ramseys
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'Allow parents to bury their child,' mayor says
January 3, 1997Web posted at: 7:00 p.m. EST
BOULDER, Colorado (CNN) -- The parents of a slain 6-year-old beauty queen Friday returned to Colorado, where investigators are seeking to schedule them for a formal interview about the murder, Boulder officials said at a news conference Friday.
Boulder's mayor said police still haven't formally questioned John and Patricia Ramsey about the murder of their daughter, JonBenet, who was found strangled to death last week in her parents' home.
"The Ramseys, under whatever circumstances, lost their daughter," said Mayor Leslie Durgin. "We should allow parents to bury their child."
Detectives search grandparents' home
A team of detectives from Boulder, meanwhile, continued investigating the case in the Atlanta area, where the Ramseys used to live. The officers Friday spent several hours at the home of Donald and Nedra Paugh, the victim's maternal grandmother, in search of clues.
No one has been charged in the crime, and no search warrants have been issued.
"We are here as part of a bigger investigation," Boulder Detective Steve Thomas said after searching the home. "We are not there to make arrests or do searches; we are here to get some background information."
The Ramseys left Atlanta Friday morning and returned to Boulder. They had been attending their daughter's funeral and mourning with friends and family members.
Mayor says Boulder is safe
Meanwhile, Mayor Durgin again focused on an apparent discrepancy in the Ramseys' account of JonBenet's murder.
In an interview with CNN that aired Wednesday, Patricia Ramsey warned "there is a killer is on the loose" in Boulder. Boulder police have requested a copy of the tape and have also taken handwriting, hair and blood samples from the Ramseys.
But Durgin reiterated Friday that there is no reason for residents to feel threatened. "People in Boulder have no need to fear that there is someone wandering the streets looking for someone to attack," Durgin said. "Boulder is safe."
A hotline has been established for anyone
having any information relating to this case:
1-800-444-3776
Durgin added that there were "no visible signs of forced entry in the house" where JonBenet was found dead. "It appears someone knew the home well."
John Ramsey last week found his daughter's body hours after his wife discovering a ransom note asking for $118,000. Police originally reported the case as a kidnapping, but have ruled it a homicide.
The slaying of JonBenet, "Little Miss Colorado" of 1995, was the only reported homicide in the affluent Denver suburb where the University of Colorado is located.
Mayor decries 'nonsensical speculation'
During Friday's press conference, Durgin decried "nonsensical speculation" about the case and disagreed with suggestions that Boulder police detain JonBenet's parents.
"It takes time. They can't be rushed by the media or anyone else," said Durgin, noting that the Ramseys have cooperated with police.
Boulder police have assigned 30 of 125 officers to the case, and have also received help from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Related transcript:
Related stories:
- Boulder police search in Georgia for clues to child's murder - January 2, 1997
- 'Killer on the loose,' slain child's mother tells CNN - January 1, 1997
- Former Little Miss Colorado buried - December 31, 1996
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window- Boulder Media Center - links for local media
- Colorado Daily
- Denver Post
- Rocky Mountain News
- Boulder News
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