Los Angeles ? California detectives learned of John Mark Karr’s apparent fascination with the JonBenet Ramsey murder while investigating him in 2001, but said Wednesday he did not appear to have any special knowledge of the case.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that it notified Colorado officials five years ago about Karr. It is the earliest known time that Karr was brought to the attention of authorities investigating the 1996 slaying of the girl in her Boulder County, Colo., home.

“We never uncovered any ‘confession’ statements, overt murder evidence or other indications that John Karr possessed secret knowledge that only the murderer of Jon Benet Ramsey would know,” the statement said.

Karr remained jailed in Los Angeles on Wednesday awaiting transport to Colorado.