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Who Killed Jonbenet Ramsey?
Describes the life and death of the young beauty contestant, and argues that she died accidentally while being sexually abused by someone within the household
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1998
285 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Charles Bosworth Jr.
7 books158 followersCharlie Bosworth is a New York Times and Amazon bestselling author of seven true-crime books, with millions of books in print, as ebooks, and audiobooks. His first book, Precious Victims, was produced as a TV movie for CBS. He has appeared in a number of true-crime television shows.
He developed an expertise in writing about crime and the courts in twenty-seven years as a daily newspaper reporter, including twenty years with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, covering hundreds of state and federal trials and criminal cases. He also has reported for the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune.
He spent years in corporate communications with a number of global companies and a leading St. Louis law firm, and as a vice president for one of the world’s leading PR and communications agencies.
He lives in Southwestern Illinois in the metro St. Louis area.
He developed an expertise in writing about crime and the courts in twenty-seven years as a daily newspaper reporter, including twenty years with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, covering hundreds of state and federal trials and criminal cases. He also has reported for the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune.
He spent years in corporate communications with a number of global companies and a leading St. Louis law firm, and as a vice president for one of the world’s leading PR and communications agencies.
He lives in Southwestern Illinois in the metro St. Louis area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 5, 2017
An appropriately written account of the troubling unsolved murder of six year old pageant queen JonBenet in the early hours of Boxing Day, 1996. Few cases have captured the publics attention as this; perhaps in part due to the "perfect murder" aspect and the long standing suspicion cast upon JonBenet's immediate family.
The writing of this book is methodical, although I learnt nothing new from reading it. It's a good 'starters guide' to those unfamiliar with the case, although those who have more knowledge of it will unlikely be told anything they haven't read elsewhere. The author is careful to keep personal opinion away from his writing, and the addition of the now infamous ransom note is included as an appendix, as is the full autopsy report.
The book fails to add anything new to the question it poses - who is responsible, or has knowledge of, the killer of the beautiful JonBenet? Much of the authors time is spent dedicated to the relationships between her parents, the media and the police. I would have liked to have read some psychological interpretations, if only by a guest author.
One thing remains abundantly clear in this deeply puzzling case, that JonBenet is not yet afforded the decency of seeing her killer brought to justice more than twenty years after her untimely death. The collective failures of the police throughout the initial investigation, her parents strange and contradictory behaviour, the suspicions upon her older brother and Boulder's reluctantly to talk are just some of the factors that contributed towards a lack of justice for this little girl.
The writing of this book is methodical, although I learnt nothing new from reading it. It's a good 'starters guide' to those unfamiliar with the case, although those who have more knowledge of it will unlikely be told anything they haven't read elsewhere. The author is careful to keep personal opinion away from his writing, and the addition of the now infamous ransom note is included as an appendix, as is the full autopsy report.
The book fails to add anything new to the question it poses - who is responsible, or has knowledge of, the killer of the beautiful JonBenet? Much of the authors time is spent dedicated to the relationships between her parents, the media and the police. I would have liked to have read some psychological interpretations, if only by a guest author.
One thing remains abundantly clear in this deeply puzzling case, that JonBenet is not yet afforded the decency of seeing her killer brought to justice more than twenty years after her untimely death. The collective failures of the police throughout the initial investigation, her parents strange and contradictory behaviour, the suspicions upon her older brother and Boulder's reluctantly to talk are just some of the factors that contributed towards a lack of justice for this little girl.
February 15, 2017
The murder of 6 year old JonBenet Ramsey has been in the minds and hearts of many people for years - even growing up in rural Ireland I remember hearing about it as a child because my Mam used to buy all the "shock" type news magazines like The National Enquirer. I was actually banned from reading them at one point because I used to have nightmares about JonBenet.
Roll on 20 years and the case is still unsolved - was it an intruder? Was it a family member? I fear none of us will ever really know (although most of us have a theory). This book isn't anything groundbreaking or new, but it does have really well respected members of their field pretty much categorically state that it could not have been an intruder.
The thing that has always bothered me the most about the murder was the garrotte - why, how, who. The book contains little bits about it but mostly speculation (where did the cord come from, why would it have been used, etc). It makes for uncomfortable reading but it's an uncomfortable case.
JonBenet is remembered as a tragic beauty queen, but she was much more than that.
"She wanted to be an Olympic figure skater and liked cherries, making ceramics and watching videos of the Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, USA Today reported. One of her favorite TV shows was I Love Lucy, and her favorite color was purple."
If you're a strong believer in the intruder theory, this may change your mind. If, like myself, you suspect that the people inside that house that night know exactly what happened and put a hell of a lot of time and effort into making sure nobody else ever finds out, there probably isn't much here you haven't already heard. I'm giving it 4 stars because of the frank, fact-led writing style. Theories are supported with evidence and by people who have had years and years of experience with similar cases. Some other books rely heavily on conspiracies or hearsay, so this is a pretty good read if you like facts.
Roll on 20 years and the case is still unsolved - was it an intruder? Was it a family member? I fear none of us will ever really know (although most of us have a theory). This book isn't anything groundbreaking or new, but it does have really well respected members of their field pretty much categorically state that it could not have been an intruder.
The thing that has always bothered me the most about the murder was the garrotte - why, how, who. The book contains little bits about it but mostly speculation (where did the cord come from, why would it have been used, etc). It makes for uncomfortable reading but it's an uncomfortable case.
JonBenet is remembered as a tragic beauty queen, but she was much more than that.
"She wanted to be an Olympic figure skater and liked cherries, making ceramics and watching videos of the Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, USA Today reported. One of her favorite TV shows was I Love Lucy, and her favorite color was purple."
If you're a strong believer in the intruder theory, this may change your mind. If, like myself, you suspect that the people inside that house that night know exactly what happened and put a hell of a lot of time and effort into making sure nobody else ever finds out, there probably isn't much here you haven't already heard. I'm giving it 4 stars because of the frank, fact-led writing style. Theories are supported with evidence and by people who have had years and years of experience with similar cases. Some other books rely heavily on conspiracies or hearsay, so this is a pretty good read if you like facts.
December 16, 2016
This book is very well researched. There is a lot of primary and secondary source information. The details were a lot more graphic than I would customarily want to read, but I suspect that is because I know we are talking about a 6 year old child and it upsets me a great deal to think of what JonBenet suffered. The information though was very well collected and conveyed.
I realized about 2/3rds of the way through this book that I should not have purchased it to begin with. I never can make peace with stories that have no closure. Bosworth does a good job at drawing all the strands together and tying the bow at the end, but there can be no justice, no closure. Poor JonBenet will not see justice. I hate it! Not the book, the circumstances.
What did I learn in this book? Were any questions answered? Well, I guess one question was answered for me, but even that is merely my speculation. When this case was happening and since I have believed that JonBenet's brother Burk was the likely culprit. I believed this because I could think of no one else that could have committed this murder and gotten her parents to be complicit in the cover-up. I now believe there is no way that was possible. Having heard the autopsy notes I am convinced that even if a 9 year old boy had the sexual capacity to have left semen on JonBenet, and even if he was sexually sophisticated enough to try to use auto-erotic-asphyxiation for pleasure, it is completely unlikely that he could have delivered the blow that cracked open another child's scull. Add those elements up and he becomes a very unlikely suspect.
There is some controversy and conflicting reports regarding if sex was an element of this crime. Based on the autopsy findings reported in this book I think it is impossible to deny that was the case. So as the title asks, "Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?" I still have no more definitive feelings than I did in the past about the who. I even more firmly believe that the parents were involved. I find it disgusting that they managed to avoid police interrogation and polygraph testing. I have to believe it is their wealth that afforded them the ability to get away with murder. If some poor family from a poor neighborhood were in the same scenario they would not get to evade police for months and refuse to be interviewed. It simply wouldn't be tolerated.
I would recommend this book to individuals who have enjoyed other unsolved cases. I would also recommend it to those who participate or are interested in sociological issues, like does money buy immunity from the law? If this case is held up as an example along with OJ Simpson, I'd have to say it does.
Side note, I would not recommend this read to anyone suffering from PTSD related to a sex crime. Just my opinion, but those that I know would not do well with this book.
I realized about 2/3rds of the way through this book that I should not have purchased it to begin with. I never can make peace with stories that have no closure. Bosworth does a good job at drawing all the strands together and tying the bow at the end, but there can be no justice, no closure. Poor JonBenet will not see justice. I hate it! Not the book, the circumstances.
What did I learn in this book? Were any questions answered? Well, I guess one question was answered for me, but even that is merely my speculation. When this case was happening and since I have believed that JonBenet's brother Burk was the likely culprit. I believed this because I could think of no one else that could have committed this murder and gotten her parents to be complicit in the cover-up. I now believe there is no way that was possible. Having heard the autopsy notes I am convinced that even if a 9 year old boy had the sexual capacity to have left semen on JonBenet, and even if he was sexually sophisticated enough to try to use auto-erotic-asphyxiation for pleasure, it is completely unlikely that he could have delivered the blow that cracked open another child's scull. Add those elements up and he becomes a very unlikely suspect.
There is some controversy and conflicting reports regarding if sex was an element of this crime. Based on the autopsy findings reported in this book I think it is impossible to deny that was the case. So as the title asks, "Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?" I still have no more definitive feelings than I did in the past about the who. I even more firmly believe that the parents were involved. I find it disgusting that they managed to avoid police interrogation and polygraph testing. I have to believe it is their wealth that afforded them the ability to get away with murder. If some poor family from a poor neighborhood were in the same scenario they would not get to evade police for months and refuse to be interviewed. It simply wouldn't be tolerated.
I would recommend this book to individuals who have enjoyed other unsolved cases. I would also recommend it to those who participate or are interested in sociological issues, like does money buy immunity from the law? If this case is held up as an example along with OJ Simpson, I'd have to say it does.
Side note, I would not recommend this read to anyone suffering from PTSD related to a sex crime. Just my opinion, but those that I know would not do well with this book.
November 4, 2013
Doesn't really add much to the JonBenet case, but provides an indepth look at the autopsy report through the eyes of Dr. Wecht, who is a world renown forensic pathologist. I've read other books by him and like his forthright style, though I felt the author of this book (Bosworth) was a bit repetitious and added Wecht's commentary almost as an afterthought. I didn't know if I would agree with Wecht's insight into the crime, but after reading a bit more about him, I feel he's most likely right on the money. His comments regarding Jeffrey MacDonald (of FATAL VISION infamy) really helped me like him. I figured that would be the make or break it moment for me, and we were of the same opinion there, so I continued reading.
Overall, a great overview of the case as it stood at that time, with input by Wecht on the autopsy report and his thoughts on what it revealed about the crime. Doesn't add anything new to the case, though, so anyone who's already familiar with the ins and outs of it might not want to bother with this, as it will most likely read as a rehash of previous books (mostly PERFECT MURDER, PERFECT TOWN).
Overall, a great overview of the case as it stood at that time, with input by Wecht on the autopsy report and his thoughts on what it revealed about the crime. Doesn't add anything new to the case, though, so anyone who's already familiar with the ins and outs of it might not want to bother with this, as it will most likely read as a rehash of previous books (mostly PERFECT MURDER, PERFECT TOWN).
February 9, 2014
After reading this book it has definitely changed my view on how crime scenes can be poorly investigated. It is painful to hear about the missteps of the Boulder Police Department in the crucial, initial moments of the investigation. I know that in Boulder, Colorado this was the only homicide that year and they may not get that many homicides to investigate but I can’t believe how poorly they did investigating the crime scene of Jonbenet. This is a very sad unsolved case. Sad and disappointing that this little girl will never get justice. I just can't grasp the fact that no one has been brought to justice in the murder of this innocent little girl. I believe that this book contains very well written information of facts gathered from the Ramsey's investigation. This book can not tell us who killed JonBenet, it can really only leave us to believe who we think may have killed her. Dr. Cyril Wecht offers an experienced and objective analysis of the public information about the JonBenet Ramsey investigation. Overall it was a decent book and I would recommend it to true crime readers.
August 6, 2017
Listened to in audio format.
Who Killed JonBenet? was written by journalist Charles Bosworth and forensic pathologist Dr Cyril Weight. Dr Cyril Weight appeared in the CBS documentary Who Killed JonBenet?
This was a concise history of the JonBenet case but the book did not gleam anything new I did not know before. It is not the authors fault because you can only provide so much information when the killer was never caught.
Who Killed JonBenet? was written by journalist Charles Bosworth and forensic pathologist Dr Cyril Weight. Dr Cyril Weight appeared in the CBS documentary Who Killed JonBenet?
This was a concise history of the JonBenet case but the book did not gleam anything new I did not know before. It is not the authors fault because you can only provide so much information when the killer was never caught.
May 28, 2024
i hate what happened to this poor baby. some parts were almost too hard to read, but it’s good to be aware. i truly hope JBR is resting peacefully with the Lord in Heaven. and i hope the person(s) responsible are punished on Earth and beyond for all eternity.
March 21, 2022
There are so many books out there on this tragedy. I'm more upset that the killer hasn't been caught yet! This never should've happened and now both child and mother are laid to rest.
October 9, 2015
Nothing new here...IMHO she WAS NOT KILLED by her parents but someone who knew the home..like a carpenter, babysitter's friend....or friend of the family...
October 13, 2016
It caused me to think of who may have killed her, but the why of it is just mind-blowing, sickening, heart-wrenching!
October 30, 2023
I wish more than anything this murder was solved. I believe it was one of the parents and the other helped cover it up. Patsy wrote the ransom note. I love hearing other thoughts on this case.
April 4, 2018
For quarter 3, I read the book Who Killed Jonbenet Ramsey? by Charles Bosworth Jr. This book gave an amazing insight into one of the most controversial homocides that are still unsolved to this day. This books gives readers an adventure to draw their own conclusions based on all od the evidence. With all of the information mapped out, the reader can relate this to other unsolved murder mysteries and compare how their differ.
The writing style and structure of this novel is extremely formal and strictly informational. The beginning of the book gives an opening to JonBenet’s family and how her life played out up until her mysterious death. It walks readers through the entirety of the crime scene investigation, as if you were in the Ramsey household on the morning after Christmas. After the storyline continues up until one week after the death of the beloved pageant girl, the books turns to the eyes and mind of a very famous forensic scientist. This switch gives readers a more purposeful read with very scientific words to explain the core reasonings and motives behind this homicide.
I would recommend this book to conspiracy theorists, similar to myself, who do not believe everything they see or hear. This book goes back to the facts and does not eliminate anyone of a suspect until absolutely positive that they are not the unsub. This book also could please non-fiction lovers, who also enjoy hearing stories on the scarier and spookier side. Lastly, this book also gives more information on this specific murder if anyone is just curious on how this took place and who most people believe is the cold blooded killer.
The writing style and structure of this novel is extremely formal and strictly informational. The beginning of the book gives an opening to JonBenet’s family and how her life played out up until her mysterious death. It walks readers through the entirety of the crime scene investigation, as if you were in the Ramsey household on the morning after Christmas. After the storyline continues up until one week after the death of the beloved pageant girl, the books turns to the eyes and mind of a very famous forensic scientist. This switch gives readers a more purposeful read with very scientific words to explain the core reasonings and motives behind this homicide.
I would recommend this book to conspiracy theorists, similar to myself, who do not believe everything they see or hear. This book goes back to the facts and does not eliminate anyone of a suspect until absolutely positive that they are not the unsub. This book also could please non-fiction lovers, who also enjoy hearing stories on the scarier and spookier side. Lastly, this book also gives more information on this specific murder if anyone is just curious on how this took place and who most people believe is the cold blooded killer.
December 6, 2024
The most interesting thing this book has to offer is the analysis of the autopsy report. It goes into it more in depth than any other account of the crime I've read, and it's made me reconsider my theory. If the sexual abuse was as habitual and severe as the authors describe, it's hard to imagine that anyone but John killed her. I used to believe Burke hit her in the head in a fit of sibling jealousy/rage and the parents covered it up. (I would have liked to read more about Burke and his involvement. What about the feces in her room?) Then, I was convinced Patsy killed her, maybe after a bed-wetting accident, and she tried to cover it up and to keep it from John by writing that weird-ass ransom note, with the idea of taking JBR's body out of the basement while he was at the bank. But then what about the garrote? If it really is pre-head injury where does it fit in those theories?
Another thing I missed in this account is the discussion about that night's timeline of events. The pineapple in her stomach, Patsy in the same clothes and still in the makeup she wore to the Christmas party, JonBenet wearing ill-fitting clothes that were stored in the basement room she was killed in, meaning she was redressed there, those were not the her pajamas. If John did it, as the book appears to suggest, was Patsy in on it? I absolutely believe she was the one that wrote the ransom note. The note is discussed in the book, but not at length. I would happily read a 350 page book about the note alone, that's the wildest fucking text I've ever seen.
Anyway, a though provoking read about my particular Roman Empire, thorough and easy to follow albeit a bit dry.
Another thing I missed in this account is the discussion about that night's timeline of events. The pineapple in her stomach, Patsy in the same clothes and still in the makeup she wore to the Christmas party, JonBenet wearing ill-fitting clothes that were stored in the basement room she was killed in, meaning she was redressed there, those were not the her pajamas. If John did it, as the book appears to suggest, was Patsy in on it? I absolutely believe she was the one that wrote the ransom note. The note is discussed in the book, but not at length. I would happily read a 350 page book about the note alone, that's the wildest fucking text I've ever seen.
Anyway, a though provoking read about my particular Roman Empire, thorough and easy to follow albeit a bit dry.
April 19, 2022
This is a disturbing account of an investigation into the death of a six year old beauty Queen. When this case was first reported in the news, and long before I read that sexual abuse was involved, I had thought that the death was accidental and then covered up by the two adults in the house. No kidnapper would look for pen and paper then proceed to write a 2 ½ page long ransom *note*. Now when I read that they only asked for$118,000 from a multimillionaire it makes even less sense. It is very disturbing how much the rich can influence the course of a police investigation and protect their own interests to such an extent that the truth will never be known. The authors almost completely remove her brother Burke from suspicion but not entirely. When I first read about these events years ago I thought he was the most likely person to have accidentally killed his sister but now reading about the sexual abuse it seems much less likely but not impossible. It really is a terrible thing that happened to this little girl. I have always hated beauty pageants that involve such young children. They must be a pedophile heaven.
January 24, 2019
Not sure what to make of this book, the argument it presents is quite convincing but a lot of it is very very dry, particularly the many chapters regarding internal politics in the police department. There's also a huge amount of what happened in the years following the crime not reported here - it reads as though it was written shortly after the death of JonBenet Ramsey, maybe a year or two later, although the release date on Amazon is 2016. If it's a new book then it seems inconceivable that things like Patsy's death and John Mark Karr's confession aren't even mentioned, if it's an old book rereleased, revised etc then couldn't a chapter or two have been added?
Beware also the Kindle edition is riddled with annoying spelling errors (although I did enjoy the part where a suspect tried to "bum the house down").
Beware also the Kindle edition is riddled with annoying spelling errors (although I did enjoy the part where a suspect tried to "bum the house down").
September 5, 2022
I’ve always been interested in the JonBennet Ramsey case. It’s always intrigued me as to how it was thought out, planned and executed and I always believed it was an inside job by the family. This book brought a lot to light in the case that I myself didn’t know about. It definitely makes you think more and sheds more light on the shoddy police work and theories. I still think it was an inside job by the parents even after reading this book. There are still so many unanswered questions but this sheds some extra light. And Dr Cyril Whect is always so interesting to read or listen to from all of his experience.
June 9, 2020
A timely reminder of this case when the Madeline McCann disappearance back in the media spotlight.a fair book put across with no hysteria or judgement.police again in both cases lacking the correct judgement,in the McCann case lacking everything including motivation.whoever did this reprehensible deed it will probably go with them to their grave if it already hasn't.my own interpretation is it was somebody from the family,to understand why,read the book,it lays out in a way that those of us new to this case will understand.
February 28, 2025
Not Informative, Simply Yellow Trash Journalism
We cut makes "scientific" conclusions from information he reads in the tabloids and stolen and incomplete autopsy photographs. Not hardly what you would expect from the "worlds foremost expert. Trying to simply make money off the sorrow of the tragic murder of innocent child. Wecht's ego is so great he gave tabloid papers" free" so-called expert advice to print gratis because he hadn't been invited in by authorities to consult. Totally a waste of time to read.
We cut makes "scientific" conclusions from information he reads in the tabloids and stolen and incomplete autopsy photographs. Not hardly what you would expect from the "worlds foremost expert. Trying to simply make money off the sorrow of the tragic murder of innocent child. Wecht's ego is so great he gave tabloid papers" free" so-called expert advice to print gratis because he hadn't been invited in by authorities to consult. Totally a waste of time to read.
May 11, 2020
I have been following this cold case since 2006 with great interest. I found this book very informative, allowing the reader to see evidence that points to an inside job and evidence that points towards an intruder. The book contains the full ransom note and the full autopsy report.
But the big question still remains: Who killed JonBenet Ramsey?
But the big question still remains: Who killed JonBenet Ramsey?
August 16, 2020
Some information that I didn't know yet, but a lot was just a repeat of most of what you hear about JonBenet. No definitive answer, but they definitely think it was someone in the family. I thought Dr. Wecht would have more of a voice in this book but it didn't seem like he did. They also didn't give much consideration to the brother doing it, which is obviously one of the prominent theories.
September 10, 2024
I wish these books wouldn't go out of their way to 'prove' whatever their particular theory is. It bugs me how they add superlatives to those whose opinions bolster their pet theory, and do the opposite for those who disagree. Just give me the damn facts, not opinions.
Still, a decent enough book, even though I think his theory is a little out there!
Still, a decent enough book, even though I think his theory is a little out there!
December 19, 2018
Considering Bosworth's work here is based on Cyril Wecht's interpretation of JonBenet's postmortem, the result isn't as impartial as I'd have preferred. Nevertheless, it's a really compelling read for those of us who can't let this tragic case go.
May 26, 2019
Very informative
A really interesting read - well written. Easily understood. Amazed at the parents non contributing behavior. Shocked at how the actual scene was not handled properly by authorities.
A really interesting read - well written. Easily understood. Amazed at the parents non contributing behavior. Shocked at how the actual scene was not handled properly by authorities.
January 17, 2021
A so so read. Here the author teams up with a well respected coroner and forensics expert to finally reveal what they believe is the truth behind the killing of JonBenet Ramsey. A bit boring and technical in places.
March 4, 2021
Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey book
The writer was very thorough on the case. He was very logical with his theory which it seems most all of us would agree. I’ve been watching videos about this case and he addressed every aspect of which I was interested. Well-written
The writer was very thorough on the case. He was very logical with his theory which it seems most all of us would agree. I’ve been watching videos about this case and he addressed every aspect of which I was interested. Well-written
April 24, 2022
If you subscribe to the theory that the parents did it, this is the book for you. It's very difficult at this juncture to make any kind of educated guess at what the hell happened to that poor little girl. This is definitely persuasive.
April 18, 2024
U just wanted to say I'm 51 years now and after following the Ramsey they must have been careless the police or it was staged very good. As why after all these years have they come across who they feel the killer is. Why now can they tell us that from her DNA.
January 13, 2025
Cyril Wecht looks at this case from the inside out - literally. He picks apart the autopsy as only Cyril can. While I disagree with some of his conclusions, I respect his expertise and reputation. A good read if you are a student of all things JonBenet.
January 4, 2017
Who killed JonBenet Ramsey
This story is very moving about 6 year old girl killed and as yet no charge or suspect has been arrested.
This story is very moving about 6 year old girl killed and as yet no charge or suspect has been arrested.
April 22, 2018
Interesting to read Wecht's take on things.
Without saying too much (no spoilers, if you will), his findings were fascinating and I tend to side with most of his theories.
Without saying too much (no spoilers, if you will), his findings were fascinating and I tend to side with most of his theories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews