Family
Patsy Ramsey
Mother of JonBenét; named person of interest 1996; grand jury voted to indict (Oct 1999, DA declined to prosecute); died June 24, 2006; posthumously exonerated by touch DNA analysis July 2008
1 case·34 media appearances
Mother of JonBenét; named person of interest 1996; grand jury voted to indict (Oct 1999, DA declined to prosecute); died June 24, 2006; posthumously exonerated by touch DNA analysis July 2008
Profile
Patricia Ann Ramsey, known as Patsy, was born on December 29, 1956, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Nedra Ellen Ann and Donald Ray Paugh, an engineer and manager. Patsy grew up in a supportive family environment that valued education and achievement.
Patsy attended Parkersburg High School, graduating in 1975, and went on to West Virginia University. There, she was an active member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1978. Her academic pursuits were complemented by her involvement in beauty pageants, and she was crowned Miss West Virginia in 1977, a title that highlighted her poise and charisma.
In 1980, Patsy's sister, Pamela Ellen Paugh, also won the Miss West Virginia title, showcasing a family tradition of excellence in pageantry. Patsy married John Ramsey, a successful businessman, when she was 23 years old. Together, they built a family and had two children, including JonBenét Ramsey.
Patsy was deeply involved in her children's lives, particularly in JonBenét's participation in child beauty pageants. Her life was marked by her dedication to her family and her community, where she was known for her grace and commitment.
Patsy's life took a tragic turn when her daughter, JonBenét, was found murdered in their Boulder, Colorado home on December 26, 1996. Patsy and her family were thrust into the national spotlight as the case garnered widespread media attention. Patsy was long considered a suspect, though she was never charged. She passed away from ovarian cancer in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of both beauty and tragedy.
Jul 2008
New touch DNA analysis of an unknown male profile on JonBenét's clothing prompted the Boulder DA to issue a letter formally clearing the Ramsey family, including Patsy posthumously.
CBS NewsJun 2006
Patsy Ramsey died of stage 4 ovarian cancer. No charges were ever filed against her.
CNNOct 1999
Boulder County grand jury voted to indict John and Patsy Ramsey on child abuse resulting in death. District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to authorize charges. The indictment was sealed until 2013.
DocumentCloud — Grand Jury Indictment (unsealed 2013)Dec 1996
JonBenét's parents were placed under suspicion immediately after her body was found. Patsy was the author of the ransom note that investigators sought to match. She was never formally charged.
CNN
JonBenet Ramsey: The Murder After Midnight
Black Box: True Crime, Serial Killers, Infamous Cases · Feb 17, 2026 · 40m
JonBenet Ramsey: The Botched Kidnapping Theory
Black Box: True Crime, Serial Killers, Infamous Cases · Jan 20, 2026 · 37m
JonBenét Ramsey
Under The Tape: A True Crime Podcast · Jan 16, 2026 · 1h 7m
On Awards Season, Heated Rivalry, JonBenét Ramsey
Every Outfit · Jan 10, 2026 · 1h 24m
Jonbenet Ramsey: How Was She Found?
True Crime With Laugh and Grind · Jan 7, 2026 · 27m
JonBenet Ramsey: The Palm Print and Boot Prints
Black Box: True Crime, Serial Killers, Infamous Cases · Dec 30, 2025 · 34m
INFAMOUS: A Conversation with JonBenét Ramsey's Father
Crime Junkie · Dec 29, 2025
JonBenet Ramsey: Ransom Note EXPLAINED
True Crime With Laugh and Grind · Dec 10, 2025 · 44m
UNSOLVED: JonBenét Ramsey 2
Murder: True Crime Stories · Sep 11, 2025 · 42m
JonBenet Ramsey: Pat Brown's Psychological Profile - Let's Respond + Deception Detective
Black Box: True Crime, Serial Killers, Infamous Cases · Jul 15, 2025 · 49m
JonBenét Ramsey: Southern Common Sense
Blind Judgment · Jun 11, 2025 · 1h 16m
JONBENÉT RAMSEY: Part 4 (Ramseys Did It)
Kind of Strange · Apr 9, 2025 · 4h 8m
JonBenét Ramsey - The Details You Haven't Heard
Eyes on the Right Podcast · Apr 5, 2025 · 1h 31m
JonBenét Ramsey: 7 Details That STILL Don't Make Sense - #185
Shaken and Disturbed · Dec 15, 2024 · 53m
Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey /// Part 1 of 3
True Crime Garage · Dec 10, 2024 · 1h 18m
MURDERED: JonBenét Ramsey
Crime Junkie · Nov 22, 2024 · 3h 23m
JonBenét Ramsey Part 1
Criminology · Mar 24, 2024 · 59m
Ep. 50 - The Season Finale: What Happened To JonBenét Ramsey?
CreepTime The Podcast · Aug 18, 2023 · 3h 7m
JonBenet Ramsey Part 2
Morbid · Sep 21, 2022 · 1h 15m
JonBenet Ramsey Part 1
Morbid · Sep 19, 2022 · 1h 18m
115. JonBenét Ramsey Part 1 of 9 -- Cold Blows the Wind
The Prosecutors · Jan 18, 2022 · 1h 2m
Episode 8: Did an Intruder Do It? (The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited)
A Normal Family: The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited · Dec 26, 2021 · 29m
Episode 5: Did Patsy Do It? (The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited)
A Normal Family: The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited · Dec 6, 2021 · 31m
Episode 4: The Ransom Note (The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited)
A Normal Family: The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited · Nov 26, 2021 · 22m
Episode 3: The Evidence (The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited)
A Normal Family: The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited · Nov 25, 2021 · 22m
Episode 2: The Investigation (The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited)
A Normal Family: The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited · Nov 19, 2021 · 21m
Episode 1: Day One (The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited)
A Normal Family: The JonBenet Ramsey Case Revisited · Nov 17, 2021 · 22m
Chapter One: Christmas Tragedy
The Killing of JonBenet Ramsey · Dec 23, 2019 · 32m
1 - My Firstest Murder
My Favorite Murder · Jan 14, 2016 · 1h 7m
Episode 167: JonBenét Ramsey Part I - And Hence
Last Podcast On The Left · Mar 25, 2015 · 1h 1m
