The lives of everyone in the Ramsey family were shattered when six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found murdered in the basement of their home the day after Christmas in 1996. But this tragedy didn’t just change their lives—it also turned a retired detective’s world upside down. Lou Smit, a seasoned investigator, was about to take on one of the most challenging cases of his career.
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Lou, a respected detective with over 200 murder cases under his belt, was brought in by the Boulder district attorney to help. The local police were overwhelmed by the media frenzy and internal conflicts while trying to solve this shocking crime. Lou wasn’t new to tough cases; he’d already solved high-profile murders, including the killing of Karen Grammer, sister of actor Kelsey Grammer. Despite his experience, nothing could prepare him for what lay ahead.
A Detective’s Dedication
Lou’s family life was already complicated—his wife Barbara was battling cancer. Yet, he moved to Boulder, living in a spare room provided by a local couple, to fully dedicate himself to the case. His wife even helped him, typing up notes from the recordings he made each day about the investigation.
From the very beginning, Lou felt something didn’t add up. He told his family early on that the evidence pointed to an intruder, not JonBenét’s parents, despite the media’s focus on the family. This conclusion was surprising, even to his own daughter, Cindy.
Following the Clues
Lou’s theory was simple but detailed. He believed the killer broke in through a basement window, bringing tools like duct tape, cord, and a stun gun. He found marks on JonBenét’s body that matched a stun gun and argued that DNA evidence from her fingernails and clothing didn’t match anyone in the family. He even demonstrated how someone could have entered and exited through the window.
This put him at odds with the Boulder police, who were convinced a family member was responsible. They resisted his findings, and some even publicly dismissed him as delusional. Despite the pushback, Lou resigned after 18 months, firmly believing the Ramseys were innocent.
A Lasting Impact
The case took a toll on Lou. He faced constant obstacles, but he never stopped fighting for the truth. Even as he battled colon cancer years later, he continued working on the case. Before he passed away in 2010, he made his family promise to keep looking for answers. His daughter Cindy and others have since taken up his mission, even raising funds to pursue leads and test DNA.
Stirring the Pot
A new Netflix documentary, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét, highlights Lou’s work and keeps the case in the spotlight. Filmmaker Joe Berlinger describes Lou as a hero—a dedicated detective committed to uncovering the truth, even when it wasn’t the popular opinion.
Lou’s friend and fellow investigator, John Anderson, believes Lou would be grateful for the renewed attention the case is receiving. “Lou always said, ‘If nothing else, stir the pot,’” Anderson shares. And that’s exactly what this documentary aims to do—shake things up and encourage people to come forward with new information.
Lou Smit’s relentless determination reminds us of the importance of seeking justice, no matter how long it takes. His legacy lives on through his family and friends, who continue to honor his dying wish: to find out who killed JonBenét Ramsey.
