Kidnapping of Jayme Closs
| Kidnapping of Jayme Lynn Closs | |
|---|---|
The Closs family home in Barron, Wisconsin, north of Highway 8, where the murders and kidnapping took place. | |
| Location | Abduction: 1268 U.S. 8, Barron, Wisconsin, U.S Confinement: 14166 South Eau Claire Acres Circle, Gordon, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 45°24′06.0″N 91°53′54.3″W / 45.401667°N 91.898417°W |
| Date | October 15, 2018– January 10, 2019 (UTC−06:00) |
Attack type | Double-murder by shooting, home invasion, child abduction |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Victims | Murdered: James Closs, aged 56 (father) Denise Closs, aged 46 (mother) Kidnapped: Jayme Lynn Closs |
| Perpetrator | Jake Thomas Patterson |
| Motive | Sexual gratification |
| Verdict | Pleaded guilty |
| Convictions | First-degree intentional homicide (2 counts), kidnapping |
| Sentence | Two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus 40 years |
On October 15, 2018, 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson abducted 13-year-old Jayme Lynn Closs after fatally shooting her parents, James and Denise Closs, at their home just outside of Barron, Wisconsin, at 12:53 a.m. Patterson took Closs to a house 70 miles (110 km) away in rural Gordon, Wisconsin, and held her in captivity for 88 days until she escaped on January 10, 2019, seeking help from neighbors.
Police took Patterson into custody; shortly after, he told them he kidnapped Closs and murdered her parents. He pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping. On May 24, 2019, Patterson was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional consecutive 40 years. After her recovery, Jayme Closs lived with an aunt and an uncle.
Jayme has become an advocate for other missing and exploited children. Her story has been widely reported on and has raised awareness about the issue of child abduction and the need for greater support for victims and their families.