Throngs of volunteers join search for Jayme Closs, missing 13-year-old girl
BARRON, Wis. — A Wisconsin sheriff called for volunteers to help search for 13-year old Jayme Closs, who went missing eight days ago, the same day her parents were found shot to death in their home. The volunteers came from as far away as northern Wisconsin and Minnesota to join in the search.
Twin sisters Claudia Beckman and Colleen Jefferson also volunteered in order "to find something to lead us in the direction," as Beckman put it.
"Or to find her," Jefferson added. "You just do everything you can."
On Monday, Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald put out a call for 2,000 volunteers. By morning, the line of cars stretched over the horizon.
Across an area of five square miles, through soybeans, corn fields and thick woods, the volunteers scanned the ground for any bit of evidence — something that's been in short supply since Closs went missing.
There are still no suspects as investigators run down 1,300 tips. Billboards have gone up as far away as New York, and officials released information about two types of cars that may have been involved.
But for the thousands of searchers, their most powerful investigative tool is faith.
"I know her parents are up in heaven watching and going, 'Thank you, thank you. Keep looking. Keep looking,'" Beckman said.
CBS News spoke to the sheriff, who says the search has not yet produced any new evidence. But he said us he's confident Jayme Closs will be found.