John Mark Karr Makes the World Stop

August 25, 2006 - DANA POINT, CA - Christmas 2006 marks the tenth anniversary of one of the most infamous murders in history. JonBenét Patricia Ramsey (born August 6, 1990) was found strangled, sexually assaulted and beaten to death in the basement of her Colorado home on December 26, 1996. Earlier in the day her mother, Patsy Ramsey had discovered a ransom letter concerning her daughter's disappearance. It was her father John Ramsey who later discovered the body. 1996 was a great year for young JonBenét, her mother had entered her in many beauty contests. She won numerous pageants achieving the titles of Little Miss Colorado, America's Royale Miss, and National Tiny Miss Beauty among others.

Law enforcement always looks at parents and family first in enfant homicide. Parents are statistically the prime offenders of such crime. JonBenét's parents were held under an umbrella of suspicion as possible suspects in the murder case. They hired many experts and claimed that an intruder had broken into their home and killed their daughter. Based on statistics and experience, police suspected they that were closest to the victim. 1999 Grand Jury came back with no indictments to be issued, citing lack of evidence for a trial. Law enforcement diligently continued to work the cold case despite the lack of any visible progress. Until now there has been no hope of absolution for those close to the young victim. Finally there is a prime suspect, and the world stands waiting for closure to a longstanding mystery.

Boulder DA Mary Lacy announced the arrest of John Mark Karr in Thailand on August 16, for the possible murder of JonBenét. Karr, a 41-year-old father of three and former schoolteacher from Alabama had spent months under secret investigation for the Ramsey case. Detained in Bangkok, Karr was then flown to LA and yesterday arrived in Boulder to await the next step.

Karr has said of JonBenét that he "loved her" and that her death was an "accident". It is unknown how Karr may have had contact with the Ramsey family, yet it is said that his DNA is currently being tested for a possible match to the fluid sample taken from JonBenét's clothes. His handwriting is also in the process of study as a match to the initial ransom letter. The DA is asking the media not to jump to conclusions at this time but let justice take its course.

Since that fateful 1996 Christmas, ZUMA Press has doggedly pursued every lead and avenue to hopefully find the truth and put this sad story to rest, working on assignment for media all over the world on the ongoing saga and supplying images thru there wire service to publications everywhere. Scott Mc Kiernan, ZUMA photojournalist, was put on the project first by Newsweek in 1996 and then by People Weekly and many others over the next 9 months to cover the story. He followed every twist and turn, as police and others investigated the gruesome homicide. Scott ZUMA's Founder/Director goes on to say, "Everyone has jumped to conclusions on this story from day one. It has been a rollercoaster ride with almost no facts and many many unsubstantiated stories running in all directions. Hopefully the whole truth will finally come out and JonBenét can rest in peace."

ZUMA photographers around the globe continued where Scott began in 1996 and have and will continue to follow the unfolding of this story wherever it may lead. Whether in Boulder, Atlanta, Charlevoix, Bangkok, Petaluma or where ever the story may go next, ZUMA is dedicated to the coverage of all elements possible to find the truth. For the whole story come to ZUMA for exclusive broadcast quality video footage as well as the largest comprehensive collection of photographs of JonBenét herself. ZUMA has stood in the forefront of documenting the intense murder investigation, the current arrest of John Mark Karr, and the short life of the world's most famous little Beauty Queen.

ZUMA Press has supplied the images that gave this story a face since its tragic beginnings. With the most comprehensive collection available anywhere ZUMA has served as a gatekeeper for these images that not only document the investigation, but more importantly the short life of Americas most famous Beauty Queen.

Photo Credits:

Top Row left to right: © RP Studio; © A09; © Mark Fix
Middle Row left to Right: © A09; © Scott Mc Kiernan; © Courtesy of the Karr Family
Bottom Row left to right: © Steve Sanford; © Butch McIntosh; © Courtesy of Boulder County Sheriffs Department

All images in set are the property of ZUMA Press. For more information on how to obtain rights and to view this collection in its entirety visit ZUMApress.com.