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JonBenet Ramsey's brother: 'I know people think I [killed her]'

Burke Ramsey opened up to Dr. Phil
Posted at 9:39 AM, Sep 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-07 13:28:09-04

The brother of murder victim JonBenet Ramsey says he knows, "people think I did it."

Burke Ramsey was just nine years old when his sister was found dead in his family's home in Boulder, Colorado on Dec. 26, 1996. He opened up to Dr. Phil in an upcoming interview.

“I know people think I did it; that my parents did it," Burke Ramsey told Dr. Phil in his first television interview. "I know that we were suspects."

Burke Ramsey, and his parents, were cleared in JonBenet Ramsey's death in 2008.

Then-District Attorney Mary Lacy released a statement that said DNA discovered in the case had a "genetic profile [belonging] to a male and does not belong to anyone in the Ramsey family."

"The Boulder District Attorney's Office does not consider any member of the Ramsey family, including John, Patsy, or Burke Ramsey, as suspects in this case," Lacy wrote.

In 1998 police interrogation tapes of Burke Ramsey — never publicly seen until a new A&E documentary aired this week — Burke told investigators what he remembered from the night JonBenet Ramsey died.

He said his mother, Patsy Ramsey, rushed into his room, turned on the lights, looked around and rushed out.

"I just heard my mom going psycho," Burke said.

In the 1998 video, then 9-year-old Burke said he never left his bedroom while police and neighbors came in and out of the house, because he was "so scared."

"I thought JonBenét was gonna be there, I thought they found her," he told the detective. "So I came in excited ... almost relieved ... then my dad told me that JonBenét was in heaven," Burke Ramsey said.

No one has been arrested or charged in JonBenet Ramsey's death.

Last week, Boulder Police chief Greg Testa released new information about the 20 year long murder investigation.

He said investigators have:

  • Processed more than 1,500 pieces of evidence
  • Analyzed of over 200 DNA samples
  • Received and reviewed or investigated more than 20,000 tips, letters or emails.
  • Traveled to over 18 states
  • Interviewed, or spoken, with more than 1,000 individuals

"The Boulder Police Department is committed to finding justice for JonBenet through a methodical and comprehensive investigation while looking at all aspects of the case," Testa said. "This is an open investigation. Investigators from our major crime's unit are assigned to this case."

Burke Ramsey's interview with Dr Phil will air next week.

“I want to honor her memory by doing this interview," he told Dr. Phil. "I don’t want anyone to forget."