BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 7, 2000 (Court TV) — Boulder, Colo.'s top prosecutor said Thursday that the JonBenet Ramsey murder may never be solved.

It was the first time District Attorney Alex Hunter publicly admitted that the killer may never be brought to justice. Despite this admission, Boulder County officials approved another $24,000 for the three-year-old investigation. So far, the probe has cost taxpayers $2 million.

"We're kind of in midstream," explained commission Chairman Ron Stewart about the appropriation, which was approved without discussion. "You don't stop in the middle."

Hunter also said Thursday that the case is still alive and that he can feel its "heartbeat."

The $24,000 should last through March, according to Hunter. Prosecutor Mike Kane will be paid $9,000, according to the Denver Post, $10,000 will cover "expert-witness consultation fees," and $5,000 is allotted for travel expenses.

After 13 months of work, a grand jury finished its work in October and decided not to issue any indictments. However, Boulder police are continuing the investigation and according to Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner, detectives are waiting for the FBI and nationally renown criminologist Dr. Henry Lee to complete forensic analysis of evidence.

JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in the basement of her parents' home on Dec. 26, 1996. The Ramseys have consistently denied being involved in their daughter's death, insisting that JonBenet was murdered by an intruder and vowing to find the true killer.