Wisconsin School Lights Tree In Jayme Closs's Honor
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- This week marks two months without answers in Jayme Closs' disappearance. On Wednesday evening, her friends and family in Barron, Wisconsin lit a tree of hope for her safe return.
A "Tree of Hope" outside Riverview Middle School, where Jayme is a student, will serve as a beacon throughout the holiday season. It is adorned with ornaments hung by her classmates, a twinkling ribbon, and it's all topped with an angel.
"The support has been overwhelming," said Mike Closs, Jayme's uncle. "Our family is like you. We just want Jayme home."
It has been 59 long days since Jayme went missing, and the reality of a frustrating investigation looms overhead. There are no named suspects in the murder of her parents, James and Denise.
"We've had dozens of sightings in the last couple weeks, all have turned out to be negative," said Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald.
He calls the investigation a "roller coaster ride," filled with highs when pieces of evidence are found, and lows when the case isn't broken.
"It's tough to build profiles when you don't know who the target is. We still don't know who the target in this case is, if it was James, Denise or Jayme," Fitzgerald said.
Nothing was missing or out of place at the Closs home when law enforcement arrived that October morning. A wallet was even found untouched near the front door.
With Christmas less than two weeks away, law enforcement is urging people to keep an eye and an ear out for any changes in behavior.
"The holidays can heighten that because people do have more contact with family members and friends during the holidays," Fitzgerald said.
Jayme's family will release balloons near the Tree of Hope on Saturday, marking the two-month anniversary of her disappearance.
While specifics of the case can't be shared, Fitzgerald confirms testing should be complete this week.
"When we're dealing with high-profile, high priority-type cases, we're giving it everything that we can, so we're getting results in days to weeks," Wisconsin Crime Laboratory Bureau director Nicole Roehm said. "Our number one priorities have to do with the most severe public safety threats. This case falls under this scenario."
Crime lab technicians are also testing the bullet casings from the Closs home.
WCCO's Liz Collin got a deeper look at the forensic work the Wisconsin crime lab does. Click here to read that report.
