JonBenet Inquiry Focuses on Stuffed Bear

Prosecutors posted a photograph of a white furry bear dressed as Santa Claus on an Internet site Thursday in a plea for public help with the JonBenet Ramsey slaying probe.

Dist. Atty. Alex Hunter said investigators are hoping that someone can identify the stuffed animal’s manufacturer and retailers where it was carried in 1996 or before.

Suzanne Laurion, Hunter’s spokeswoman, said investigators had been unable to find that information despite trying retailers, Internet sites and manufacturers.

She refused to say what role the bear may play in the investigation, how the bear came to the attention of police and whether police had it.

The indistinct photograph, which may have been cropped from a larger image, shows the bear on crinkled paper or material, but not posed in a manner to enhance identification.

The toy is about a foot long, with a red hat, jacket and pants all trimmed in a curled white wool material.

The Web site with the photo is https://www.co.boulder.co.us/da/bear.htm

“I make this public request for assistance, knowing that it will give rise to considerable speculation about the status of the Ramsey case,” Hunter said.

“I intend to let this speculation take whatever course it will since to confirm or deny theories about what this all means would most certainly damage the ongoing investigation,” he said.

JonBenet was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family’s home Dec. 26, 1996. No arrests have been made.