Ransom Note



Patsy Ramsey claimed that she found a ransom note on the morning of December 26, 1996.

Circumstances of Discovery
Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her daughter missing at 5:52 am. Patsy stated "there's a note left" but when asked about what the note said, replied "I don't know". When Officer Rick French arrived at the Ramsey residence five minutes later, John Ramsey directed him through the house, through the kitchen, and showed him where the note was lying "laid on the wooden floor" in a hallway which led to the foot of the spiral staircase.

John told Officer French that Patsy had found the note on one of the steps of the spiral staircase. Over the years the Ramseys gave slightly different accounts of who had moved the note. In 1997 Patsy said she carried it upstairs and handed it to John on the landing, but John said he ran downstairs and it was "still down on the first floor". John says he spread it out on the floor. In 1998 and later, Patsy and John both gave this version.

Text
Mr. Ramsey,

Listen carefully! We are a group of individuals that represent a small foreign faction. We xx respect your bussiness [sic] but not the country that it serves. At this time we have your daughter in our posession [sic]. She is safe and unharmed and if you want her to see 1997, you must follow our instructions to the letter.

You will withdraw $118,000.00 from your account. $100,000 will be in $100 bills and the remaining $18,000 in $20 bills. Make sure that you bring an adequate size attache to the bank. When you get home you will put the money in a brown paper bag. I will call you between 8 and 10 am tomorrow to instruct you on delivery. The delivery will be exhausting so I advise you to be rested. If we monitor you getting the money early, we might call you early to arrange an earlier delivery of the money and hence a earlier delivery pickup of your daughter.

Any deviation of my instructions will result in the immediate execution of your daughter. You will also be denied her remains for proper burial. The two gentlemen watching over your daughter do not particularly like you so I advise you not to provoke them. Speaking to anyone about your situation, such as Police, F.B.I., etc., will result in your daughter being beheaded. If we catch you talking to a stray dog, she dies. If you alert bank authorities, she dies. If the money is in any way marked or tampered with, she dies. You will be scanned for electronic devices and if any are found, she dies. You can try to deceive us but be warned that we are familiar with Law enforcement countermeasures and tactics. You stand a 99% chance of killing your daughter if you try to out smart us. Follow our instructions and you stand a 100% chance of getting her back. You and your family are under constant scrutiny as well as the authorities. Don't try to grow a brain John. You are not the only fat cat around so don't think that killing will be difficult. Don't underestimate us John. Use that good southern common sense of yours. It is up to you now John!

Victory!

S.B.T.C

Materials and Forensic Analysis
The note was eventually determined to come from

Suspicious Features of the Note

 * It refers to a crime that did not take place.


 * SBTC does not exist.


 * The amount of the ransom is very close to the amount of John's Christmas bonus for that year.

Handwriting Analysis
For more details see