[4][5] JonBent's parents gave several televised interviews, but resisted police questioning except on their own terms. Burke testified at a 1999 grand jury hearing. JonBent Patricia Ramsey (August 6, 1990 - December 25 or 26, 1996) [1] was an American child beauty queen who was killed at the age of six in her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. [67][f] The indictment cited "two counts each of child abuse" and said the parents "did unlawfully, knowingly, recklessly and feloniously permit a child to be unreasonably placed in a situation that posed a threat of injury to the child's life or health, which resulted in the death of JonBent Ramsey, a child under the age of sixteen. In addition, a basement window was previously broken by John Ramsey when he was locked out of the house. JonBent Ramsey was born on August 6, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia, the younger of two children of Patricia "Patsy" Ramsey (19562006)[10] and John Bennett Ramsey (born 1943). On November 7, 2014, police announced they had arrested Charles "Chase" Merritt, Joseph . [105][106], On December 28, 2016, Burke Ramsey's lawyers filed an additional civil lawsuit that accused CBS, the production company Critical Content LLC, and seven experts and consultants of defamation of character. [63], Alexis Val Reich (then known as John Mark Karr) was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand on August 15, 2006 following a false confession to murdering JonBent. [15], Although Jesperson at one point claimed to have had as many as 160 victims,[16] only the eight women killed in Washington, Oregon, California, Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming have been confirmed. "[62] In 2016, Gordon Coombes, a former investigator for the Boulder County District Attorney's office, also questioned total absolution of the Ramseys, stating, "We all shed DNA all the time within our skin cells. At first, the disturbed teen claimed he was driven to kill because of a hallucination that made his sister look like a. In a 1994 interview, Constance said that the young girl did not remember the attacks, but she did remember bits and pieces of her family. But Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter did not prosecute them, because he did not believe that he could meet the higher standard of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt that is required for a criminal conviction. In March 2018, she was featured in an episode, titled "Put on a Happy Face", of the Investigation Discovery true crime series Evil Lives Here. Laverne Arlyce Pavlinac (ne Johnson; December 19, 1932 - March 4, 2003) was an American woman who falsely confessed to assisting in the 1990 murder of 23-year-old Taunja Bennett of Portland, Oregon; she also implicated her boyfriend, John Sosnovske, in Bennett's murder.Both Pavlinac and Sosnovske were convicted, with Pavlinac receiving a 10-year sentence. [57], Mary Lacy, the next Boulder County District Attorney, took over the investigation from the police on December 26, 2002. It's important that we still do.Sheila explains to Bonnie their family's history in Haunted. One alleges he killed Smith after deliberation, each of the other . [19][67] The public thought that the grand jury investigation had been inconclusive. Media reports questioned how the police handled the investigation. It is not clear if the January 4th attacks were tied tothe same killer, although it is very likely. However, the evidence fell short of a definitive conclusion. The suit against Don Davis, Steven Thomas, and St. Martin's Press was settled out of court the following year. [20] Jesperson took her back to his residence, where he beat and strangled her to death. The weapon used was a hammer. After getting in an argument with Bennett, he strangled her to death with his hands and disposed of her body. When JonBent was moved, the crime scene was further contaminated, and critical forensic evidence was disturbed for the returning forensics team. A hammer. They sued Star magazine and its parent company, American Media, Inc. on their son's behalf in 1999. In the years following, Jesperson said he often thought about what it would be like to do the same to a human. The Bennett family murders is a case that goes back more than three decades. [41], The autopsy revealed a "vegetable or fruit material which may represent pineapple," which JonBent had eaten a few hours before her death. "[2][1] There was no evidence of conventional rape, although sexual assault could not be ruled out. The DA sent the Ramseys a letter of apology in 2008, declaring the family was "completely cleared" by the DNA results. [17] He was convicted of another murder and received a fourth life sentence in January 2010. Bonnie says her paternal side of the family (the Hopkins) are boring, though she might just be referring to them as such in comparison with her magical maternal side (the Bennetts) of the family. After the guilty verdict came down, family members hugged in the courtroom, tears streaming down some of their faces. It's official: Jamal Murray, Nuggets are in Phoenix's heads now. JonBent was interred next to her half-sister Elizabeth Pasch Ramsey, who had died in a car crash nearly five years earlier at age 22. For the 2014 film about Jesperson, see, List of serial killers in the United States, List of serial killers by number of victims, "The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)", "Serial killer receives fourth life sentence", "Dr. Phil Returns to The Oprah Show: My Father Is a Serial Killer", "ABC '20/20': Melissa Moore, Daughter Of Serial Killer, Opens Up Tonight About Life With 'Happy Face Killer' Keith Jesperson", "Meet Crime Watch Daily Correspondent Melissa Moore | Truecrimedaily.com", "My evil dad: Life as a serial killer's daughter", "Happy Face Presents: Two Face on Apple Podcasts", "Life After Happy Face on Apple Podcasts", Daughter of the 'Happy Face Killer' Talks About Growing Up With a Serial Killer Dad, Keith Hunter Jesperson: Happy Face Killer, Daughter of serial killer confronts her past, Radio Interview with Melissa Moore (daughter), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keith_Hunter_Jesperson&oldid=1152180367, 8 confirmed (confessed to as many as 185). "It's just like a weight has been lifted off.". [50] Forensic pathologist Michael Baden said, "Trace amounts of DNA can get on places and clothing from all different, nonsuspicious means. Has Denver seen its last snow of the season? The crime is still considered a cold case and remains an open investigation with the Boulder Police Department. Those errors included loss and contamination of evidence, lack of experienced and technical staff on the investigation, evidence shared with the Ramseys, and delayed informal interviews with the parents. [6] Approximately one year later, Jesperson was swimming in a lake when another boy held him underwater until he blacked out. U.S. District Court Judge Julie Carnes later concluded that "abundant evidence" in the murder case pointed to an intruder having committed the crime. [5], The Ramseys offered a $100,000 reward in a newspaper ad dated April 27, 1997. [36], One of the individuals whom Smit identified as a suspect was Gary Howard Oliva, who was arrested for "two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child and one count of sexual exploitation of a child" charges in June 2016, according to Boulder's Daily Camera. The 2001 Death of Two-Year-Old Ricky Morehouse III. Bennett, aged 13 at the time, told the babysitter to leave . I cant remember her name, but she said your parents killer had been caught, she said. The court will not grant a mistrial at this point, Vahle said. The family originated from Ancient Greece, then eventually settled in the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Jesperson signed each letter with a smiley face. Prosecutors argued there is no innocent explanation for the presence of Ewings DNA on carpeting where Melissa Bennetts body was found and on a comforter covering her. Vanessa, now 38 years old, received a call from the Aurora sheriffs department informing her that her parents killer had been identified as 57 year old Alexander Christopher Ewing. He had given police officers the location of the victim's purse. $100,000 will be in $100 bills and the remaining $18,000 in $20 bills. The evidence is compelling. [35] JonBent's mouth was covered with duct tape, a nylon cord was found around her wrists and neck, and her torso was covered by a white blanket. The Bennett Family Murders ~ Aurora, Colorado ~ January 16, 1984 The Bennett family was your average middle class family living the American dream. Ewing is scheduled to go on trial in Smiths murder in October in Jefferson County. Jesperson was born on 6 April 1955, to Leslie (Les) and Gladys Jesperson in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada,[1] the middle child with two brothers and two sisters. You are not the only fat cat around so don't think that killing will be difficult. Visitors picked up and cleaned surfaces in the kitchen, possibly destroying evidence. [39], The autopsy revealed that JonBent had been killed by strangulation and a skull fracture. [76] On the night JonBent was killed, there had been two windows that were left slightly open to allow for electrical cords for the outside Christmas lights to pass through, a broken basement window, and one unlocked door. [37], The Killing of JonBent: The Truth Uncovered, broadcast by A&E on September 5, 2016, concluded that an unidentified male was responsible for JonBent's death, based on forensic DNA analysis of evidence. It can be deposited anywhere at any time for various reasons, reasons that are benign. The mother of Bruce Bennett, 27, and grandmother of 7-year-old Melissa Bennett all killed in the 1984 home invasion, along with Debra Bennett, 26 the 87-year-old admitted shes very happy its all over.. [18] In his confession, Jesperson recounted how he had picked up Bennett at a bar in Portland on the evening of January 21, 1990. If not, why did he choose these particular people/houses? That DNA, forensic experts testified, was extracted from sperm. I went through physical therapy. Although she had no memory of the attack, what happened that night in 1984 would negatively impact the rest of her life. [10], Following Sosnovske's arrest, a forensic analysis of Pavlinac's vehicle was completed, but no evidence indicating a body had been transported in it was found. [35][b], Each of the Ramseys provided handwriting, blood, and hair samples to the police. [26], In 2008, Moore published a book titled Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer's Daughter. Samantha Spiegel (who gained a restraining order from Reich) alleged Reich only intended to undergo gender reassignment surgery to get closer to younger girls in a child sex cult called "The Immaculates". [38] Smit's theory was supported by former FBI agent John E. Douglas, who had been hired by the Ramsey family. He brutally killed his younger sister when he was only 13 years old. [19] Patsy died of ovarian cancer at age 49 in 2006; she was interred next to her daughter. Her parents, Bruce and Debra Bennett, had just moved into a new home in Aurora. And we didnt have much hope then. Though non-canon, Amelia is revealed to be Sheila's mother in, Stelena Almost Had A Happy Ending On 'The Vampire Diaries,' Says Co-Creator Kevin Williamson, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennett_(name), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, The Bennett family was inspired by the McCullough family in the. However, the DNA match has not been linked to a specific person. True Crime Diva 2010-2023. The family had been celebrating Melissas birthday that night. Move to another state. [8], In November 2008, Jesperson's daughter, Melissa G. Moore, appeared on Dr. Phil to talk about her father. [18], Following Jesperson's conviction, the prosecutors in Pavlinac and Sosnovske's cases urged Judge Paul Lipscomb of the Third Circuit Court to exonerate them, and began petitioning his court on October 26; he initially refused to free them, stating that Jesperson's involvement "didn't necessarily absolve Pavlinac and Sosnovske". [49] Former Adams County, Colorado, District Attorney Bob Grant, who has assisted the Boulder DA's office on the case for many years, also believes that the DNA evidence is significant, saying that any resolution of the case would have to explain how the DNA showed up on several pieces of JonBent's clothing. In September 2009, Jesperson was indicted in Riverside County, California, on murder charges; he was extradited in December 2009. Prior to the verdict being read, Ewings attorneys attempted to have the case declared a mistrial, arguing Friday that the jurors were coerced by being forced to deliberate a second straight day after reaching an impasse Thursday evening. In the early hours of January 16, 1984, between midnight and 6:00 a.m., an intruderentered the Bennett home and viciously attacked the entire family. Jesperson's first known victim was Taunja Bennett on 21 January 1990, near Portland, Oregon, United States. It is up to you now John!Victory!S.B.T.C, The only people known to be in the house on the night of JonBent's death were her immediate family: Patsy and John Ramsey and their son Burke. Emily had a brother and the only known male member of the Bennett family. He covers everything from stolen art and towing to mobile homes and quirky stories that defy category. You can try to deceive us but be warned that we are familiar with law enforcement countermeasures and tactics. [19] Three days later, more than four months after the body of their daughter was found, they submitted for the first time to separate formal interviews at the Boulder County Justice Center. Use that good southern common sense of yours. "We didn't have much hope then, but science and progress keeps marching on and ultimately we found this guy. The Vampire Diaries Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. @9WantsToKnow #9NEWS pic.twitter.com/sy989l4z06. [6] Although Jesperson was not successful with girls in high school, having never even attended a school dance or his prom, he did enter into a relationship after high school. [14], Pavlinac's trial began on January 24, 1991. The two would often get into trouble together, and Jesperson claimed he was often punished many times for things Martin had done and shifted the blame. [29][30] In September 2018, podcast network HowStuffWorks began releasing a show called Happy Face[31] featuring interviews with Melissa about her childhood and her father. Bennett family murders: Verdict reached in hammer murder trial | 9news.com Blame 'It's been a long time waiting': Connie Bennett sees justice 37 years after murder of 3 family. In May 1998, he presented his findings to the Boulder police with other staff members of the DA's Office, concluding that the evidence pointed away from the Ramseys. [6] The anonymous caller identified the braggart as 39-year-old John Sosnovske, but his name was misspelled in the report, which prevented a follow-up from the sheriff's office. 911 call and initial search for the child. He had been questioned by police a week before, but they had no grounds to arrest him after he refused to talk. Upset that he was not getting any media attention, Jesperson drew a smiley face on a bathroom wall hundreds of miles from the scene of the crime and wrote an anonymous letter confessing to Bennett's murder, providing proof. The ransom note was unusually long. "[7] In the midst of Pavlinac's trial, a graffito was found inside a rest stop bathroom in Livingston, Montana, which read: "I killed Tanya [sic] Bennett Jan. 21, 1990 in Portland, Oregon. [17], Patsy Ramsey entered JonBent in various child beauty pageants in Boulder,[15] where she won the titles of America's Royale Miss, Little Miss Charlevoix, Little Miss Colorado, Colorado State All-Star Kids Cover Girl, and National Tiny Miss Beauty. Photo Credits: Mamamia The real-life story of Paris. True Crime Diva covers missing persons and unsolved cases around the globe. [18] Jesperson himself also began writing letters to news and media outlets following his arrest and conviction, urging the courts to free Pavlinac and Sosnovske. After some legal bickering, he was extradited from Nevada and stood trial for the Bennett family murders in July 2021-37 years after he committed them. Ewing was found guilty on Aug 6, 2021 in the 1984 Bennett family Murders in Aurora, Colorado. Three-year . [16] In 1991, John had moved with Patsy, his second wife, and family to Boulder, where Access Graphics' headquarters was located. The oldest child, Melissa, was ten years old. Her grandmother, Constance Bennett, went to the familys home that morning after her son and daughter-in-law didnt show up for work at the familys furniture business. [86] Furthermore, Reich's DNA did not match DNA found on JonBent's body. On night of January 16th, 1984 a gruesome discovery was made at a house on 16300 East Center Drive, Aurora, Colorado. He is eligible for parole on July 21, 2021, and his sentence expires in April 10, 2037. Our detectives have traveled to over 18 states and interviewed or spoken with more than 1,000 individuals.". After all, Ewing was facing multiple counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Smith and the three members of the Bennett family. Keith Hunter Jesperson (born April 6, 1955) is a Canadian-American serial killer who murdered at least eight women in the United States during the early 1990s. They suggested that the ransom letter was an attempt to cover up the circumstances of JonBenet's death. [10] Pavlinac's story was also at odds with several eyewitness accounts which placed Bennett at a bar approximately 25 miles (40km) from where Pavlinac claimed Sosnovske met Bennett. American woman who falsely confessed to assisting in a 1990 murder, "Happy Face Killer - Cold-blooded self-pity", "Innocent Couple Released Man, Woman Served 4 Years In 'Happy Face Killer' Case", "What An Ugly 'Face': Ann-Margret's True Confessions Are Movie Murder", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laverne_Pavlinac&oldid=1141042751, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, False confession to a murder and service of a prison sentence for it, This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 01:57. The official cause of death was "asphyxia by strangulation associated with craniocerebral trauma. Melissa, 7, was sexually assaulted in the attack. [53][e] The Ramseys had said that their reluctance was due to their fear that there would not be a full investigation for intruders, and that they would be hastily selected as the key suspects in the case, according to the Daily Camera. Paris Bennett is an American psychopath and murderer. [45] That DNA belonged to an unknown male person, and excluded the DNA of each of the Ramseys. [54][64], Burke, who was nine years old at the time of JonBent's death, was interviewed by investigators at least three times. No precautions were taken to prevent contamination of evidence in the rest of the house. What about the Bennetts? Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [47][48], A. James Kolar, who was a lead investigator for the DA's office, said that there were additional traces of male DNA found on the cord and paintbrush that Boulder district attorney Mary Lacy did not mention, and that there were six separate DNA samples belonging to unknown individuals that were found by the test. Why? The same night he escaped, he broke into yet another couples house and attacked the male of the home. He paused for a moment in front of the door, but walked away without opening it. Now, she's telling her story, Jurors hear about Lakewood murder linked by DNA to 1984 killing of Bennett family. Before the jury was brought into the room Friday afternoon, defense attorney Katherine Spengler requested a mistrial, asserting that the judges instruction the night before was coercive and likely forced at least one jury to surrender an honest conviction that Ewing was not guilty. [63][53][i] Silverman said, "Once you have conceded the possibility of an intruder, I don't see how any Ramsey could ever be successfully prosecuted. Yes, I'm sick, but I enjoy myself too. Presumed Guilty: An Investigation into the JonBent Ramsey Case, the Media and the Culture of Pornography. The team initially believed that the child had been kidnapped, and JonBent's bedroom was the only room in the house that was cordoned off to prevent contamination of evidence. Hawaii Cold Case: Who killed Jubilee Lum in 1999? [60] There was no new information gleaned from those interviews. [5] At the time, Sosnovske was a parolee who had previous DUI offenses. Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. Peter Manfredonia sentenced for 2020 crime spree, Missing Medford men found decapitated in Boston storage unit, Orange County dermatologist charged on multiple accounts of attempting to poison her husbands drinks indicted. [26][27] The note and a practice draft were written with a pen and notepad from the Ramsey home. Her jeans were pulled down, and her boots were still on her feet. The police and the prosecutors followed leads for intruders partly due to the unidentified boot mark left in the basement room where JonBent's body was found.[35]. [8] Upon her arrival, she claimed that Sosnovske was hiding between two large trailers, and that the body of Bennett lay wrapped in a blanket at his feet. [80] In 2001, former Boulder County prosecutor Trip DeMuth and Boulder County Sheriff's Detective Steve Ainsworth stated that there should be a more aggressive investigation of the intruder theory. [58][59], On February 2, 2009, Boulder police chief Mark Beckner announced that Stan Garnett, the new Boulder County District Attorney, was turning the case over to his agency, and that his team would resume investigating it. [20], On 7 January 1996, more than five years after their conviction, Pavlinac and Sosnovske were released from prison after Jesperson and his attorney offered his confession with convincing evidence of his guilt.

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