A man, living in Thailand, has confessed to killing Jon Benet Ramsey.  Ramsey was killed in her parents home back in December of 1996.

A former schoolteacher has admitted to killing 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, the head of Thailand immigration police said Thursday, a surprise breakthrough in a sensational crime that some feared would never be solved.

“He told police while under arrest that he did kill the girl but so far he has not pleaded guilty in writing. This is needed as official evidence,” Suwat said.

Suwat said U.S. authorities informed Thai police on Aug. 11 that an arrest warrant had been issued for Karr on charges of premeditated murder. The warrant was sent to Thai police on Wednesday, the day he was picked up in Bangkok.

JonBenet was found beaten and strangled in the basement of the family’s home in Boulder, Colo., on Dec. 26, 1996. Ramsey family attorney Lin Wood said the arrest vindicated JonBenet’s parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, who had initially been suspected of being involved in the crime. Patsy Ramsey died of ovarian cancer June 24.