(CBS4) BOULDER, Colo. The man now leading the JonBenet Ramsey murder investigation said he's tracking new leads. Jim Kolar took over the case five months ago.
Nine years after Ramsey's death, the murder investigation is very much alive.
Kolar talked for the first time about his involvement in the investigation with CBS4.
He wouldn't go into details about the new leads.
Kolar did say tips still come in every week.
In Kolar's office at the Boulder County Justice Center, there is a note scrawled on a message board, "JBR Homicide."
That note may be the most telling in years after all that's been written about JonBenet Ramsey. It means the case is active and open.
"She was a young little girl," Kolar said.
Ramsey would have been 15-years-old now.
The child beauty queen was found strangled and beaten in her Boulder home early the morning of Dec. 26, 1996.
"These folders here are the letters and e-mails that have come in since July," Kolar told CBS4.
"Is there a public demand to solve this still," CBS4 asked.
"Incredible, incredible, that's why I was a little reluctant to do an interview," Kolar answered.
Kolar is new to the investigation, brining some 30-years of law enforcement experience. He said he has a fresh perspective.
"I'm going into it with an open mind and trying to look at it objectively," Kolar said. "From my perspective, some of the things that have been forwarded to us look worthwhile and should be followed up."
Since taking over five months ago, Kolar has followed up on five new leads.
"This came in the mail today, it's a cassette tape," Kolar said.
He said new tips come in every week.
"A couple weeks ago, I received a similar package that contained a handwritten letter as well as a small loom used to make oven mitts with," Kolar said.
Most of the tips point to an intruder he said. He would not say whether the Ramsey Parents are still under the umbrella of suspicion.
"Is there a point you would like to sit down and talk to John and Patsy again formally if not informally," CBS4 asked.
"Sure, and I've made that offer to provide a briefing to the family," Kolar answered.
Patsy Ramsey is fighting stage 4 cancer.
"I have not had any personal communication with them and I know they're going through a difficult time," Kolar said.
He admitted he barely followed the case as it unfolded.
"I saw sporadic news articles," Kolar said.
He said now there are nights it keeps him awake.
"There've been times I wake up three, four in the morning thinking about it and I'll get up to write some notes," Kolar said.
It consumes Kolar that the killer is still out there.
"That's why I put in extra time, take material home and read it at night," Kolar said.
Kolar runs the DNA retrieved from JonBenet's underwear through a national database every single week.
He holds out hope against all odds.
"Could be a lead that comes in tomorrow, could be something that's already there," Kolar said. "It's a heavy responsibility. I think, I hope I can do it justice."
Kolar is the chief investigator for the Boulder district attorney. He has a full slate of court cases. That's why he ends up taking the Ramsey investigation material home with him.
Kolar worked for the Boulder Police Department for 17 years.
He left the department in 1993, before JonBenet Ramsey was killed. He became the police chief in Telluride.
Kolar returned to Boulder last year.
The Ramsey family attorney, Lin Wood, told CBS4 the family has pledged their full cooperation.
John and Patsy Ramsey were last in Boulder about a year ago. They met with the district attorney and the then chief investigator to review the case.
Wood said the Ramseys hope to meet with Kolar within the next year.
Patsy's health will be taken into consideration. CBS4 was told she's doing well.
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