In this live episode of Santana True Crime, we take a deep look at the JonBenét Ramsey case through a media lens: how headlines, leaks, television coverage, and repeating narratives shaped public opinion and influenced which theories people believed.

I’m joined by Dr. David Hayes, who researched this exact topic in his doctoral dissertation, and Dr. Brian Santana, a college professor and true crime author. Together, we discuss how early framing can become the “official” story in the public’s mind—even when the evidence is complex, disputed, or evolving.

In this episode, we cover:

How early media framing took hold

Why certain theories became dominant

The role of leaks, repetition, and “trial by television”

How public opinion can drift away from evidence

What this case teaches us about true crime, bias, and narrative control

⚠️ Content Note: This episode discusses the murder of a child and sensitive subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.

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