Sheriff: Closs Case Remains 'No. 1 Priority' Amid Declining Tips
BARRON, Wis. (WCCO) – Investigators said Thursday they are changing their approach in the search for 13-year-old Jayme Closs.
More than two weeks after the murders of her parents, there are still no signs of the teenager from Barron, Wis.
Most of the state and federal investigators who worked the case around the clock have gone back to their home offices. WCCO's Bill Hudson spent the day in Barron, Wis., and has more on the change in strategy.
Eighteen days into the investigation, some 2,100 leads and tips have come and gone and still no suspect and no sign of Jamey Closs.
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Thousands of volunteers combed woods and Fields as 200 investigators checked out a flood of leads. But the killer of James and Denise Closs has yet to be found, nor has the couple's 13-year-old daughter, Jayme.
"We were averaging 100 to 250 leads a day, now we're down to about 25-ish," Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said.
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says fewer leads require fewer investigators on site. The parking lot outside the command Center shows the change in approach.
"So we need to scale back operations there, they're going back to their offices," Fitzgerald said.
FBI, state and county investigators will work leads from their home bases. Fitzgerald believes the key could be a person's sudden change in behavior.
Meantime, the entire region remains on edge.
"We're just hoping and praying, everyone is, that there's some tips, some clues for closure because it affects everyone," one Barron resident said.
All tech and social media clues are being analyzed at the FBI's Milwaukee office. The search for two vehicles of interest has so far come up dry.
"Somebody knows something, there's no question about it," Fitzgerald said.
Sheriff Fitzgerald says while a $50,000 reward is being offered for information to crack the case, most leads have come from people motivated not by money, led by a desire to do the right thing. Solve this terrible crime, and bring Jamey home.
Again, investigators are asking that anyone with a tip contact them at 1 (855) 744-3879. You can also email your tip to jaymetips@co.barron.wi.us.