With Netflix revisiting JonBenét Ramsey’s case through a new documentary in 2024, there is a growing focus on her family.
JonBenét gained significant recognition at a young age due to her involvement in numerous beauty pageants, winning prestigious titles like America’s Royal Miss and Little Miss Colorado.
The American child beauty queen appeared to have a promising future ahead of her. Unfortunately, her life was tragically cut short, preventing her from reaching her full potential.
JonBenét’s life ended abruptly on December 25, 1996, when she was just 6 years old. Her lifeless body was discovered in the basement of her home.
To this day, Ramsey’s murder continues to be a highly controversial and widely debated unsolved case in American history. But, before this tragedy, her older sister, Elizabeth Pasch Ramsey, faced her own tragic fate, which deeply affected the Ramsey family.
What Happened To JonBenét Ramsey’s Older Sister Elizabeth Ramsey?
JonBenét Ramsey’s sister Elizabeth Ramsey was the oldest one of her four siblings. She was 22 years old when tragically passed away. Exactly speaking, she was JonBenét’s half-sister from their father John Ramsey’s first marriage with Lucinda Pasch.
Elizabeth’s life came to an end on January 8, 1992, in a car crash. This incident occurred four years before JonBenét’s murder and added to the family’s sorrow. However, she wasn’t the only one to pass away in that mishap. Her boyfriend, Matthew Derrington, also lost his life.
Specifically, Matthew was the one in the driver’s seat, and JonBenét’s sister was in the passenger. Both sustained severe internal injuries and passed away as a result of the crash.
They were driving their BMW, which lost control on a rain-slicked highway and collided with a bakery truck. It took place near Chicago due to poor weather conditions.
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JonBenét’s older sister was buried beside her in Marietta, Georgia, after JonBenét’s funeral in December 1996.
Before she passed away, Elizabeth was making her career as an airline stewardess. Exactly speaking, she was working as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines.
JonBenét Has Two More Half-Siblings From Her Dad’s Previous Marriage
In addition to Elizabeth, JonBenét has two more siblings from her father’s prior marriage. She has another half-sister and a brother.
Both of them are currently in their fifties. Her older half-sister Melinda Ramsey was born in 1972, while her brother John Andrew Ramsey was born in 1973.
According to sources, Melinda pursued a career in nursing after attending the Medical College of Georgia and currently works in Atlanta.
Unlike her sisters, Melinda was lucky enough to build a stable life for herself and is married. She settled down with her husband, Dr. Stewart McLendon Long.
They shared wedding vows at Marietta’s First Presbyterian Church. Apparently, her spouse is a thoracic surgeon, and they both attended the same university.
As for JonBenét’s half-brother, John Andrew was in Atlanta for the holidays when the tragedy struck the Ramsey family. Due to this, while suspicions surrounded them, he was never considered a suspect.
Moreover, John Andrew has dedicated much of his life to advocating for justice for his sister and has urged authorities to pursue DNA testing. In an interview with The Sun, he shared his frustrations with the investigative process, stating:
“I’ve had a handful of meetings that I’ve requested over the years… The purpose was to encourage them to pursue DNA testing, but it’s a one-sided relationship.”
John Andrew Ramsey
Unfortunately, his appeals have gone unanswered, leading him to express disappointment.
“They don’t say anything to me. They just say it’s an ongoing investigation.”
John Andrew Ramsey
John Andrew also believes that JonBenét’s killer is still alive and hopes that one day the perpetrator will be brought to justice. During a 2021 interview with ABC News, he also stated,
“This six-year-old little girl was killed on [investigators’] watch and, ultimately, they are responsible for finding the killer, and they can do it, and we want them to do it.”
John Andrew Ramsey
Here Are More Details On The Ramsey Family
- JonBenét has another older brother, Burke Ramsey, but this time from her parents’ marriage.
- Born in 1987, Burke was only 9 when JonBenét was brutally murdered, and despite his age, he was under suspicion.
- JonBenét’s mother, Patsy, passed away, and her father remarried for the third time on July 21, 2011, to Jan Rousseaux.
