Search For Jayme Closs Continues; Parents' Deaths Ruled Homicides
BARRON, Wis. (WCCO) -- Investigators are revealing more Wednesday about how the parents of a missing Wisconsin teenager died.
Autopsies are completed on Jayme Closs's parents as investigators frantically search for her. The 13 year old has been missing since early Monday morning. That is when police responded to a garbled 911 call at her home in rural Barron, Wisconsin, and found her parents dead inside.
After three days, there is still no word about the whereabouts of teen, and no credible sightings or suspects.
At his daily news briefing, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald confirms that James and Denise Closs were killed by gunfire inside the couple's home.
"Based on our investigation thus far, we believe Jayme was in the home at the time of homicides and we believe she is still in danger," Fitzgerald said. "Every second counts in this case. When a child like Jayme is missing, we ask you to observe this behavior and report it to us."
More than 100 local state and FBI agents are working on the case. Adding to the horrible mystery is Jayme's disappearance.
"It would be nice if we could find something out, it's been very mysterious situation, kind of creepy," said area resident Pat Richter.
Jayme is a student at the local Riverview Middle School, where she is also a cross-country runner and dancer. Her parents worked at the local turkey factory. Mary Nelsen knew them as customers at the Kwik Trip.
"It is very unsettling when people you know and there are no answers. You don't know who is involved or what was involved," Nelson said.
A sign in town captures the unsettled feelings of so many.
"We want Jayme to come home safe and unhurt. We just pray for her that she comes home hopefully soon," said Barron resident Jenny Wiehe.
About 200 people attended a residents-only town hall Wednesday night at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Rice Lake. Sheriff Fitzgerald held the meeting to discuss concerns. He also repeated his call for locals to come forward if they notice anything suspicious.
FBI agents and local investigators executed a search warrant Wednesday at a property just a half a mile west of the Closs home along Highway 8. One woman was taken away in handcuffs. It is still unclear why they were there, but Sheriff Fitzgerald says this was all unrelated to the search for Jayme.
Authorities said they had already received more than 400 tips from the community and the nation at large. They cannot say whether or not the Closs family was targeted. They do believe Jayme is still in danger.
Jayme is 5-feet tall, weighs about 100 pounds, and has green eyes and blond hair.
Anyone who notices anything suspicious or sees Jayme is asked to call 911 or the Barron County Sheriff's Office at 715-537-3106.