Since 1996, BPD Chief Stephen Redfearn is the fifth police chief assigned to the case. He officially took on the role in September after acting as the interim chief for the Boulder Police Department since January. BPD detectives have pursued over 21,000 tips, emails, and letters, traveling to 19 states to interview or speak with over a thousand individuals related to the investigation.
Reflecting on the 28 years since JonBenet’s murder, Redfearn expressed, “The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime, and this tragedy has never left our hearts.” He emphasized the commitment to thoroughly investigate every lead, collaborate with DNA experts, and work closely with law enforcement partners nationwide until closure is achieved. Redfearn reaffirmed that the JonBenet case will remain a top priority for the Boulder Police Department.
In a November update, it was mentioned that local authorities have teamed up with federal agencies, including the FBI, and DNA specialists from various parts of the country to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Officials have sorted through 2,500 pieces of evidence and approximately 40,000 reports with more than a million pages documenting the investigation. The Colorado Cold Case Review team has also provided BPD with a list of tips for the department to pursue, according to Redfearn.Â