Nearly 29 years after someone murdered JonBenét Ramsey, her father says the case may finally move forward. John Ramsey says he feels more hopeful than he has in decades.

Police found JonBenét, 6, dead in her Boulder, Colorado, home on December 26, 1996. Her parents had reported her missing and found a ransom note.

Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn shared an update on December 12. He said investigators now:

• re-test older evidence with newer DNA tools
• run fresh tests on items from the case
• interview people again based on new tips

Ramsey says police never told him which items they tested. He believes key evidence still needs stronger DNA work.

He points to items such as:

• the cord-and-paintbrush garrote used to strangle JonBenét
• an unknown male DNA profile from her clothing and fingernails
• other items collected from the home

The unknown DNA went into the CODIS database years ago, but it found no match. Ramsey wants police to use genetic genealogy, which can help identify people through relatives.

DNA evidence cleared John, Patsy, and their son Burke in 2008. Ramsey says he now hopes modern testing can finally name the killer.