The Life Of JonBenet Murder Suspect

John Mark Karr Was Obsessed With Ramsey Case; Has A History With Kids

(AP)  As investigators puzzle the life and mind of John Mark Karr, confessor to the killing of JonBenet Ramsey, they must unravel an elaborate and hazy narrative woven in part by Karr himself, much of it constructed around a clear and chilling theme — a yearning to be close to children.

That desire, in retrospect, appears as heartfelt as it does disturbing.

Karr is a man who, while wanted as a fugitive on child pornography charges, sought to impress prospective employers with a long record of accomplishment preparing young lives "for a successful future."

He is a man who twice married teenagers — one just 13 at the time. Both would later claim they had been coerced.

And he is the man who years ago confided to family members that he was deeply troubled by the murder of the Colorado 6-year-old, who he now claims to have loved and sexually assaulted.

It's difficult to know how much to believe of the life Karr, who is 41, says he has led since JonBenet was found strangled and beaten a decade ago in the basement of her family's home.

But in his own words, it all seems quite real.

"I awoke the children in the morning and gave them breakfast," Karr wrote in one online resume, recounting life as a private teacher and caregiver of three girls in Germany, aged 7, 11 and 12. "At day's end, I made sure the children had their evening bath, then put them to bed and read to them before they went to sleep."

Karr, who arrived in Thailand earlier this year looking for work as a teacher, claims to have spent years skipping from job to job, country to country, nearly all the time working with children. Details proved difficult to pin down Thursday.

School officials in Alabama and California confirmed that he worked in both states as a substitute teacher in the latter half of the 1990s and in 2001.

"He just seemed like somebody who thought he wanted to be a teacher," said Bob Raines, superintendent and principal at Wilson Elementary School, in one of the four districts near Petaluma, Calif. where Karr worked. "After a few days, I could tell it just wasn't for him."

One of Karr's former wives, Lara Karr, told KGO-TV in California that her ex-husband spent a lot of time studying the cases of Ramsey and Polly Klaas, who was abducted from her Petaluma, Calif., home and slain in 1993.

Lara Karr said she was with her former husband in Alabama at the time of JonBenet's killing and she does not believe he was involved in the homicide.

Some experts raised questions Thursday about Karr's arrest, noting that some details of his alleged confession seem out of line with circumstances of the case, and pointing to the need to establish evidence putting him at the scene.

But it is not easy to establish his whereabouts at any point in recent years.

Karr is remembered in his hometown of Hamilton, Ala., as a smart kid, one who played in the high school band and matured into something of a local curiosity.

"You couldn't help but like John. He always had something going on," said Marion County School Superintendent Bravell Jackson, who recalls teaching Karr in elementary school and driving the school bus Karr rode.

As an adult, Karr wrote in one online resume that he worked for years in real estate and restored old homes. His work in schools appears to have begun in 1996 — the year of the Ramsey murder. According to the resume, that was the start of a five-year stint teaching in "some of the most prestigious schools in the United States, working with children from high profile families."

But that is not the way people and court paperwork in Marion County recall it.

In 1984, when Karr was 19, he married a local girl, Quientana Shotts, who was 13 at the time, county court records show. Shotts filed for an annulment the following year, complaining that she was "fearful for her life and safety." In a response filed with the court, Karr contested Shotts' age, saying she was in fact 14.

In 1989, Karr remarried, this time to Lara Knutson. She was 16 at the time.

Contrary to his resume's description of a life in the classroom, Karr's sole Alabama experience was being hired as a substitute teacher in 1996. But his time there ended after school officials received complaints about Karr saying things "that didn't need to be said in an elementary class," Jackson said. Karr was "bragging on the students, their dress," said Jackson, declining to elaborate further.

[kmontroy]

I do not believe that John Karr is responsible for the death of Jonbonet Ramsey. Of all the 'holes' in his story and taking what he says and what the autopsy report has said doesn't match up. Plus even his ex wife claims he was with her on that fateful night. In my opinion this case will never be solved, whomever IS responsible will go to the grave with the secret. Yes I believe he has some psychological problems, and has some child pornography issues that the law needs to deal with. But his mannerism and what he has said doesn't add up to being the killer.

[tcredille76]

I am from Hamilton, AL where John Mark Karr is from. I did not know him personally but I know several people from here who did. Some say he was very different and creepy and others say he was normal. When this news came about, it SHOCKED our little town of around 7,000 people. One week ago we were just a normal little town in Alabama. Now we can't go to town without news media being everywhere. No one around here never would have thought something like this would happen. All I have to say is that it does not matter where this guy is from or who he is...if he did it, let there be justice. If he is the guy, then great, the killer was found. If not, I hope and pray this nightmare will be over for the Ramsey family real soon cause everyone here in Hamilton, along with the rest of the nation, wants justice served. This person or persons will have to face God on judgement day and he will give the biggest punishment of all!!! May God Bless the Ramsey family and trust in God that he will soon put this nightmare to rest.

I don't have reason to believe that he committed the crime. He is so anxious to admit and prove that he did it. I think that he was so obsessed with the case that maybe he has fathomed some belief that he was involved, when he really was not. His ex-wife stated he was at least 4 states away with her at the time of the murder. I think the mother was involved, still do. Your child was just beaten, raped and murdered in your basement (why she was alone?) and you don't cry or show any emotion? That just doesn't seem like the reaction a devasted mother of a beauty queen would have.

[dmamel]

We have been given a detailed history of Karr including exact dates he left one country or arrived in another. However, I have not read anything that puts Karr in Colorado, period, let alone at the time of the crime. One of his ex-wives has also said, for whatever it is worth, he was in Alabama at that time. It was exciting to think the perpetrator was in custody but, based on what little we know, I can't see a conviction forthcoming.

[princess052]

Does anyone has any idea about the name of the schools where he was employed..specifically in HOnduras?

[heartsick]

With heart felt respect to the parents - absolutely they need to know that they have the right guy - but for the rest of us, ultimately, Karr is a pedophile, and therefore should be shot. Period.
When a child is violated, a death takes place, though not always physical.

[ralan40]

All good points! Take a close look at his quotes only, though. If he confessed, why isn't his confession in quotes?
"I was with her when she died".."It was an accident". I see no quotes attributed to what they say he did. The only connection I see is that he lived near the Ramseys in GA and they moved after JB was born. He appears to be woven a little bit too much into this story.
Or it could be an "emotionally challenged" person obsessed with the murder case. But he couldn't be doing this to "get out of asian prison". It is reported that he's been writing to people for months prior to this...including MOM. I believe we have to fight the urge to rule anything out. Until then, all the Media is doing is what we are. Guessing

[china3us]

Certainly the guy is eager to confess. Have you ever seen prisons in Thailand???? No TV, no weightlifting room, no beds (only grass mats), bugs, rats, mosquitoes, no Air Conditioning......The guy knows if he confesses, he has a good chance of being extradited back to the US. Here the prisons are more like resorts.

[becka8]

Personally, i have been all about this case since it happened, this lil 6 yr old lost her life for what? I personally dont believe it was this guy, i believe he knows who it is, and hes taking the fall for someone else because for some reason he doesnt feel his life is worth anything anymore, but things arent adding up. I do no believe Mr. Karr did it. I hope they find the right person and take him down. I feel bad for the family to have to go this long without knowing the truth.

[efarrellu2]

I am annoyed that the media keeps calling John Mark Karr a "teacher". From what I understand, John Mark Karr is a substitute teacher. There is a BIG difference between a substitute teacher and a highly qualified teacher. (Please refer to the NCLB requirements) As a highly qualified teaching professional, I resent the fact that the media keeps calling this man a teacher. From what I understand, he took a few classes at a community college and did not even GRADUATE with a degree.

[casebuster1]

I don't understand why the Media spends sooooo much time speculating. What should have been done is this: they come on and say, "the police have arrested a suspect with regards to the JonBenet Ramsey murder. Once DNA results are back we will be able to tell you more. Until then, anything we say would be pure speculation."
Another thing I hate, they bring on these so-called experts to talk, but NEVER give them enough time to say anything. Why bother?!

[jencwhat73]

I am just not sold on the idea that this guy did it. He seems way to eager.