Jayme Closs

Jayme Closs was 13 years old when she was abducted in the early hours of October 15, 2018 after her parents were shot to death that same morning in their family home in Barron, Wisconsin. She was held captive at a cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin for 88 days until she escaped on January 10, 2019.

Jayme Closs’ Kidnapping

In the early morning of October 15, 2018, police responded to a 911 call at a Barron home, only to discover the bodies of James and Denise Closs, who had been fatally shot to death. Their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme Closs, was nowhere to be found. For nearly three months, investigators searched for the young girl. Meanwhile, Closs was being held by her kidnapper, 21-year-old Jake Patterson, at his family cabin. Patterson kept Closs under his bed; he played music in the room when people were over and threatened her with violence if she attempted to escape.

Jayme Closs Escapes

On January 10, 2019, Patterson told Closs he would be leaving the home for five hours. She took the opportunity to run. She encountered a woman walking her dogs, who immediately took her to a neighbor’s house upon recognizing her. Closs’ descriptions of the kidnapper and his car led to the quick arrest of Patterson, who confessed to the kidnapping as well as the murder of Closs’ parents. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of kidnapping, and an additional count of armed burglary.

Moving On

Closs will be receiving the $25,000 reward that was pledged by her parents’ former longtime employee Jennie-O Turkey Store, a monetary compensation that was originally intended for anyone who had information that could lead to the young woman’s rescue. Closs has been reunited with family living in her home state, all of whom are thankful that she was found alive.