JonBenét Ramsey Detective Dies Suddenly

Tom Haney Jr., the veteran Denver detective who became a key figure in one of America’s most infamous cold cases, has died unexpectedly. Haney collapsed and passed away on August 19 while golfing with friends. He was 77.

Friends and colleagues are mourning the man they call a “crime fighter’s crime fighter.” Lt. Robert Wyckoff of the Denver Police Department remembered Haney as a cop who could connect with anyone, anywhere. “Tom was a street cop who knew how to talk to people — victims, suspects, anyone,” Wyckoff said. “He was respected by everyone. That’s rare in a department our size.”

Haney’s journey began in 1968 when he joined the Denver Police Department, quickly climbing the ranks from patrol officer to division chief. He retired in 1997 after nearly three decades of service but immediately transitioned into a role as chief investigator for the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

In an old interview, Haney explained the moment that set him on his path: “I was in high school working at a grocery store, and we got robbed at gunpoint,” he recalled. “I had a guy point a gun at me, and I thought, ‘That’s just not right.’ From then on, I knew I wanted to keep those people off the streets.”

In December 1996, six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found dead in her family’s Boulder home, a shocking case that captured the nation’s attention and has remained unsolved for nearly three decades. Two years later, Haney was brought onto the investigation because of his unmatched interviewing skills.

Haney spent nearly three days interrogating Patsy Ramsey, JonBenét’s mother. Former prosecutor Mike Kane, who worked closely with Haney, said he was “at the top of the pyramid” when it came to homicide detectives. “Tom was a master listener,” Kane explained. “He knew when to stay silent, when to push, and when to let people reveal themselves.”

In an interview at the time, Haney made his motivation clear: “You want to solve it for this baby,” he said, referring to JonBenét.

Despite his reputation as a relentless investigator, Haney was known among friends for his sharp sense of humor and his love for the outdoors. Golf, fishing, and hunting were his escapes from a career that often plunged him into darkness.

The JonBenét Ramsey murder remains one of America’s most scrutinized unsolved cases. Advances in DNA testing have reignited hopes for a breakthrough, and Boulder authorities confirm the investigation is ongoing. Haney’s role in the case remains one of the most significant chapters of his career — a reminder of his persistence and compassion.

A funeral Mass for Haney will be held Thursday at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Denver. He leaves behind a legacy of tireless service, quiet strength, and unshakable dedication to justice.

“You want to solve it for this baby.” — Tom Haney, on the JonBenét Ramsey case