Authorities released additional details on Thursday in the case of missing teen, Jayme Closs, who disappeared from her Barron, Wisconsin, home two months ago.
DailyMailTV reports that Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald stated that whoever killed James Closs, 56, and his wife, Denise Closs, 46, did so within four minutes before fleeing the Barron County home on October 15. Further, the suspect managed to escape without leaving a shred of evidence at the home aside from bullet casings, and carried out the crime while keeping everything at the residence in place.
“The house wasn’t disturbed at all from what we were able to tell. That’s part of the confusing part of this case,” Fitzgerald said. “It doesn’t appear that anything was taken, it doesn’t appear that Jayme packed up any clothing.”
There is one thing, however, that Fitzgerald said may help them crack the case: surveillance video. According to the Post Crescent, Fitzgerald said videos will eventually help them find the killer.
“The video will help us solve the case. We don’t see Jayme on any of the videos. But once we arrest a suspect, it will help us convict.”
“If we determine the suspect traveled north or west, we have a lot of cars on video to check it against,” Fitzgerald continued. ‘We’ve got a lot of video of people going in and out of gas stations.”
Authorities are working through around numerous videos from businesses, residents, and highways. They’re hoping for any tip or clue that will help them solve the case. They also reportedly admitted that they may have already interviewed the killer, but have already started re-interviewing process.
Jayme Closs: What You Need to Know
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a 911 call on October 15 at 12:53 a.m. to the Barron County 911 dispatch came from the cell phone of the missing 13-year-old’s mother, Denise. The caller didn’t speak directly to the 911 dispatcher but there was “a lot of noise” and sounds of distress in the background. After the call disconnected, the dispatcher called the number back numerous times but didn’t get an answer. The dispatcher then called the home’s landline, but it had been disconnected.
Three different officers were dispatched to the family’s home, around 45 miles northwest of Eau Claire.
An officer arrived at the family’s Barron home by 1 a.m., and found James lying by the front door. At 1:03 a.m., the officer noted that a male was down and “multiple rounds” had been spent. The incident was initially thought to be a suicide before the officer knew Denise had also been shot. At 1:06 a.m., the officer stated that the front door had apparently been kicked in.
“…ADVISED THE DOOR HAS BEEN KICKED IN. ADVISED THAT THE MALE WHO IS DOWN HAD ANSWERED THE DOOR. UNKNOWN IF ANYONE IS MISSING.” (1:06 a.m.)
At 1:11 a.m., an officer reported that both James and Denise “were down” and unresponsive. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald later confirmed that both victims had been shot and killed. Their deaths were listed as homicides.
Over two hours later, at 3:57 a.m., officers entered Jayme into the system as a “missing juvenile.” They combed the house and area thoroughly for the teen first, noting that they couldn’t find her nor any clues to her whereabouts. At 5:13 am, dispatchers sent out a “Missing Endangered Child” notification, indicating Jayme was likely abducted from the residence. Authorities later said she was likely taken by gunpoint.
Six days and over 1,000 tips later, Jayme remains missing. Authorities previously stated they didn’t have a description of a suspect. There was nothing amiss in her home or school life on surface, and family and friends said Jayme did not have a boyfriend. Investigators reportedly searched her social media accounts and didn’t find anything unusual.
Authorities recently placed more focus on social media accounts but did not find anything out of the ordinary. They are still asking anyone who knew James or Denise Closs to come forward with any information.
“We are seeking information about the victims Denise and James Closs. We are hopeful to learn more about the Closs family to help bring Jayme home. If you spent time with members of the Closs family recently or if you have ever had a misunderstanding with any members of the Closs family or know someone who has, please call the tip line,” Barron County Sherriff, Chris Fitzgerald, said on Friday.
Investigators are also asking people to observe family members, friends, or people they know in the community for any behavior that seems out of the norm, including:
- Missing work for no apparent reason
- Missing scheduled appointments
- Leaving town without a reasonable explanation
- Increase in drug and/or alcohol use
- Altering their appearance
- Paying “too much or too little” attention to the case, such as quickly shutting the news off when it reports on Jayme and her parents
- Selling and/or getting rid of a vehicle
Jayme is described as a white female who stands 5-feet tall, weighs around 100 pounds, and has green eyes and strawberry blond hair.
Anyone with any information on Jayme’s whereabouts is urged to contact a tip line made specifically for her case at 1-855-744-3879.
[Feature Photo: Jayme Closs/Handout]
