Shivangi Sinha
When JonBenét Ramsey was discovered murdered in her home in December 1996, scrutiny quickly turned to Patsy Ramsey. With intense media focus on the case and the police investigation also examining the parents, every action and decision Patsy made was closely dissected. Despite her visible anguish, she remained a steadfast mother to her son and devoted her life to seeking justice for her daughter. Netflix’s ‘Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey’ delves deeply into the timelines of the case, highlighting Patsy’s significant role in the unfolding events.
Patsy Ramsey Found the Ransom Note on the Stairs of Her Home
Patsy Ramsey was born on December 29, 1956, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to Nedra Ellen Ann and Donald Ray Paugh, an engineer at Union Carbide. She enjoyed a comfortable upbringing and stood out as a bright and charismatic individual. Growing up alongside her older sister, Pamela Ellen Paugh, who was just a year her senior, Patsy shared a close bond with her. Her enthusiasm and energy were evident early on, earning her admiration during her time at Parkersburg High School. After graduating in 1975, she went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in journalism at West Virginia University.
During her college years, Patsy Ramsey became involved in pageantry, showcasing her sense of style and exuding confidence and poise. In 1977, she was crowned Miss West Virginia, an experience she relished as it placed her in the spotlight. After graduating, Patsy met John Ramsey, a businessman with three children from a previous marriage. She quickly realized he was the man she wanted to build her life with, and the couple married on November 5, 1980. They settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where they welcomed their two children, Burke Ramsey in 1987 and JonBenét Ramsey in 1990.
In 1991, Patsy and her family relocated to Boulder, Colorado, where she took time to settle into her new surroundings. Known for maintaining a vibrant lifestyle, Patsy often attracted attention. When she enrolled her daughter, JonBenét, in child pageantry competitions, some criticized her choices, but Patsy remained unfazed. She embraced the label of “stage mom” and openly stated that her daughter enjoyed the experience, just as she had in her own pageantry days. On the morning of December 26, 1996, Patsy woke up early as the family had plans to take their private plane to visit friends. While preparing for the day, she went downstairs and discovered a ransom note demanding $118,000, claiming that JonBenét had been kidnapped.
Patsy Ramsey Dedicated Her Life to Finding Justice for Her Daughter
Patsy called the police at 5:52 am, her voice filled with anguish and distress. After John discovered JonBenét’s body in the basement, Patsy’s life seemed to shatter completely. During a public interview, her grief was evident as she struggled to hold back tears. However, the situation grew more chaotic when the police began suspecting the parents of involvement in the crime. Patsy faced intense scrutiny, and the media frenzy painted her in an unfavorable light. Allegations surfaced, ranging from claims of her losing control over JonBenét’s bedwetting issues to accusations of being overly temperamental. Despite the onslaught, Patsy remained resolute, steadfastly maintaining her innocence and urging authorities to focus on finding the real killer.
In 1999, a grand jury indicted Patsy and her husband on charges of child abuse resulting in death and being accessories to murder. However, the District Attorney concluded that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a trial. Eventually, Patsy and her family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where she concentrated her efforts on supporting her son Burke, who was navigating challenges of his own. Despite her determination to shield him from the fallout of the tragedy, Patsy’s health became a growing concern. She had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 1993 at just 36 years old. After undergoing treatment, she experienced a period of remission, but the cancer returned in 2002.
As her health declined, Patsy moved to her father’s home in West Virginia, where she received care in her final days. On June 24, 2006, she passed away with her husband by her side and was laid to rest in Marietta, Georgia. She was buried next to JonBenét, symbolizing a sense of peace and reunion in death. In 2008, two years after Patsy’s passing, the District Attorney officially cleared the Ramseys as suspects using “touch DNA” evidence. Despite this development, the fight she waged for her daughter’s justice remains unresolved. The case continues to linger without closure, and the search for JonBenét’s killer persists to this day.
