A best-fit analysis of the facts and circumstances related to the death of JonBenet Patricia Ramsey

Another close-up. The stick was fashioned from one of PR’s paintbrushes. The rope and the black duct tape (not shown) were purchased by PR with her American Express card at McGuckin’s hardware store in Boulder. Lou Smit asserts that this garotte was the work of a “professional” pervert. Given the granny-knots, dysfunctional loops and in situ construction clearly in front of us his conclusion is an enigma.

In the external examination the coroner notes that the child’s hair is set in two ponytails, a style not often seen in public. This could have been done for sleeping but the exact reason for the style switch is unclear. Petechial hemorrhaging about the body is noted in numerous places. Shapes and color variations are broad. Some circular marks of petechial hemorrhaging of the purple variety indicate that they could be confused with burn marks, either from a hot source or an electrical device of sufficient voltage potential (some have suggested stun guns). Taking the report on its face, it seems more likely to just be another variant of petechial hemorrhaging. Significantly, the coroner notes that the ligature knotted around the neck has some of the decedent’s hair entwined within it. This means the ligature was applied and knotted on the victim during the attack, not prior. In addition, some more of her hair is compressed between the rope and the deep furrow in her neck. Also of significance is the fact that the child is reported to be 47 inches long with a strangulation furrow mostly on the horizontal with a slight slope toward the top of the head rising as it approaches the back midline. The scalp evidences no sign of injury.