What happened to the Ramsey house and who lives there now?

The Ramsey house in Boulder, Colorado, remains a haunting symbol of the unsolved murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey in 1996. Despite its size and luxurious features, the home’s connection to the high-profile tragedy has made it a difficult property to sell, with its history overshadowing its potential as a family home.

Purchased by the Ramsey family in 1991 for $500,000, the house boasts five bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, and a top-floor penthouse with its own kitchen and additional bathrooms. It also features a separate catering kitchen, making it a spacious and unique property. However, the gruesome events of December 26, 1996, when JonBenét’s body was discovered in the basement, have left an indelible mark on its history.

The family moved out after the tragedy and sold the house, donating the profits to the JonBenét Ramsey Children’s Foundation. Since then, it has been through multiple listings and price adjustments but has struggled to find a long-term owner.

Carol Schuller Milner, daughter of televangelist Robert Schuller, and her husband purchased the home in 2004, acknowledging its tragic past but hoping to create positive memories there. Despite their intentions, the house went back on the market several times, with prices fluctuating dramatically:

  • 2008-2009: Listed but did not sell.
  • 2011: Offered for around $2.3 million.
  • 2014: Price reduced to $1.95 million.
  • 2023-2024: Listed on Zillow for $7 million but quickly removed multiple times.

Real estate experts believe the home’s connection to JonBenét Ramsey’s murder significantly hampers its marketability. Properties tied to high-profile crimes often carry stigmas, making potential buyers hesitant, even if the house itself is appealing.

The house’s repeated listings and withdrawals suggest the current owners are grappling with the difficulty of detaching the property from its infamous history. Unlike other crime-associated homes that have been demolished or repurposed as tourist attractions, the Ramsey house remains a private residence. However, its inability to shake its dark past leaves its future uncertain.

With the murder still unsolved and renewed interest due to media like Netflix’s recent documentary, the house remains a potent reminder of the tragedy that occurred nearly three decades ago. Whether it will eventually find a buyer or require more dramatic changes to make it marketable remains to be seen.