The Detective on the Scene Looks Back, after 10 Years of Ongoing Investigation
New York, NY, October 9, 2006 – The world was shocked in 1996 by the mysterious death of American child-beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, and the crime has never been solved. Just within the past few months, her mother has died and a man who claimed he was the murderer has been dismissed as delusional. So what really happened in the Ramsey house ten years ago? WE tv will seek to answer that lingering question with the one-hour documentary, JonBenet: Who Killed The Pageant Queen? premiering on Tuesday, October 24 at 10pm ET/ 9pm CT / 7pm PT.
Brutally murdered in her home on Christmas night, the police investigation and media immediately placed the guilt on the parents, John and Patsy. However, when a retired veteran homicide detective named Lou Smit was assigned the case, key evidence that had been overlooked was discovered. Smit was no ordinary detective – over a distinguished 32-year career, he solved more than 90 percent of his 200 cases. Smit’s initial take was the conventional one, that the parents must have been involved. But his relentless investigations drew him to an entirely different conclusion – that an intruder was the culprit. And now, Detective Smit takes the viewers inside the Ramsey house and reconstructs how this gruesome murder may have taken place.
The case drew new attention this summer when JonBenet’s mother Patsy succumbed to ovarian cancer, and a schoolteacher named John Mark Karr confessed to the horrific slaying. When DNA tests failed to corroborate his story, murder charges were dropped, although Karr is now standing trial for child pornography.
JonBenet: Who Killed The Pageant Queen? is produced by Mills Productions.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of a record year so far for WE, with HH ratings growth of +16% from 2005 (0.25 HH RTG) to 2006 (0.29 HH RTG). In addition, 2006 to date is the best year in WE’s history for Prime M-Su 8p-11p delivery of HH, W18-34, W18-49, W25-49 and W25-54. In 2006 so far, WE offered +188% more original programming hours during Prime M-Su 8p-11p than compared to the same time period year ago.
**Source: Nielsen Media Research, Prime M-Su 8p-11p daypart average for 2005 12/27/04-09/25/05 vs 2006 12/26/05-09/24/06; Live HH, Women 18-34, Women 18-49, Women 25-49, and Women 25-54 Audience during Prime M-Su 8p-11p. WE Originals based on programming hours during Prime for 2005 12/27/04-09/25/05 vs 2006 12/26/05-09/24/06.
About WE tv
WE tv is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series “Bridezillas,” unique movie packages like “Three Men and A Chick Flick,” topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE tv is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 60 million homes.