Case overview
On October 15, 2018, 13-year-old Jayme Closs was abducted from her home in Barron, Wisconsin, after her parents were shot and killed. She escaped from captivity 88 days later on January 10, 2019, leading to the arrest of Jake Patterson within hours. Patterson was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping.
The night of October 15, 2018
At approximately 12:58 a.m., a 911 call was placed from the Closs residence on Highway 8 in Barron. The call captured yelling but no clear dialogue. When Barron County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at 1:08 a.m., they found the front door had been forced open with a shotgun. Inside, James and Denise Closs were deceased from gunshot wounds. Their daughter, Jayme, was missing.
The abduction occurred in a narrow window. Neighbors reported hearing what they believed were two gunshots shortly before 1 a.m. Law enforcement determined that the suspect breached the door, shot James Closs, forced his way into the bathroom where Denise and Jayme were hiding, killed Denise, and fled with Jayme. The entire sequence took fewer than four minutes.
Physical evidence at the scene included spent shotgun casings and signs of forced entry. There was no indication of prior contact between the family and the suspect. Investigators recovered surveillance footage from nearby residences showing a vehicle leaving the area around the time of the abduction, but the make and model were difficult to confirm.
The 88-day search
The FBI joined the investigation immediately, and a nationwide alert was issued for Jayme Closs. Law enforcement conducted interviews with more than 3,500 people and pursued more than 4,500 tips. Investigators reviewed security footage from businesses and homes in the area, analyzed phone records, and searched wooded areas near the Closs home.
The case generated widespread media coverage. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children distributed posters and coordinated outreach efforts. Volunteers conducted ground searches. Despite the volume of investigative activity, no viable suspect emerged in the weeks following the abduction.
Investigators publicly stated that Jayme was considered endangered and that the homicides and kidnapping were likely connected. They did not identify a motive or suspect during the initial search period. The case remained active but without a clear lead as weeks turned into months.
January 10, 2019: Jayme’s escape
On the afternoon of January 10, 2019, Jayme Closs escaped from a residence in the Town of Gordon, Wisconsin, approximately 70 miles north of Barron. She encountered Jeanne Nutter, a woman walking her dog in the rural area, and identified herself. Nutter brought Jayme to the nearby home of Peter and Kristin Kasinskas, who called 911 at 4:43 p.m.
Jayme told authorities she had been held in the residence by a man named Jake Patterson. She stated that Patterson had left the house, and she did not know when he would return. She had been confined under a bed for extended periods and had limited opportunities to escape.
Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies responding to the 911 call broadcast a description of Patterson’s vehicle. At approximately 4:54 p.m., a Douglas County deputy located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Patterson was taken into custody without resistance. He was transported to the Barron County Jail and booked on preliminary charges of kidnapping and homicide.
The investigation into Jake Patterson
Jake Thomas Patterson was 21 years old at the time of his arrest. He lived in the Town of Gordon with his parents and had no significant criminal history. Investigators determined he had been employed at a cheese factory in Almena, Wisconsin, until the day after Jayme’s abduction, when he quit his job.
During interviews, Patterson admitted to planning the abduction after seeing Jayme board a school bus near her home. He stated he had no prior relationship with the Closs family and selected Jayme as a target based solely on that encounter. He told investigators he had driven past the Closs residence multiple times to observe the layout and determine when to act.
Patterson described stealing the shotgun used in the homicides from his father’s residence. He detailed how he prepared the vehicle, selected the time of night to minimize the likelihood of witnesses, and executed the abduction. He acknowledged shooting both James and Denise Closs and forcing Jayme into the trunk of his vehicle.
Forensic analysis of the residence in Gordon confirmed Jayme’s account of being held under a bed in Patterson’s room. Investigators documented items used to barricade her beneath the bed, including weights and totes. Patterson admitted to confining her in this manner when he left the house or when visitors were present.
Charges and sentencing
On October 16, 2018, Patterson was formally charged in Barron County Circuit Court with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping, and one count of armed burglary. He entered a not guilty plea at his initial appearance.
On March 27, 2019, Patterson withdrew his not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to all charges. The plea hearing was held in Barron County, and Patterson waived his right to a trial. Prosecutors did not pursue a plea agreement, and all charges proceeded to sentencing.
On May 24, 2019, Judge James Babler sentenced Patterson to life in prison without the possibility of parole on each homicide count, to be served consecutively. Patterson also received a 25-year sentence for kidnapping and a concurrent sentence for armed burglary. The total sentence amounted to two consecutive life terms plus 25 years, ensuring Patterson would never be released.
At the sentencing hearing, a statement written by Jayme Closs was read aloud by prosecutors. In it, she stated that Patterson had taken her parents and 88 days of her life, but he did not define her. Victim impact statements were also delivered by family members of James and Denise Closs.
Aftermath and public response
Jayme Closs was reunited with her family following her escape. She has not made public statements beyond the written statement delivered at sentencing. Her aunt, Jennifer Smith, was appointed her legal guardian.
The Barron County community held memorial services for James and Denise Closs. Fundraisers were organized to support Jayme’s ongoing needs. National advocacy groups recognized her resilience and highlighted the case as an example of the importance of sustained missing-person investigations.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation were commended for their coordination, though they acknowledged that the resolution came from Jayme’s escape rather than investigative breakthroughs. The case underscored the unpredictability of crimes committed by individuals with no prior connection to victims.
Where to look next
- Documentary: “Jayme Closs: 48 Hours” (CBS)
- Documentary: “In Pursuit with John Walsh” (Investigation Discovery)
- Podcast: “Crime Junkie” (Audiochuck)
