Jayme Closs Was Abducted By A Loner Who Killed Her Parents

Jake Thomas Patterson, who was 21 at the time, took Jayme Lynn Closs, who was 13, from her family's home in Barron, Wisconsin, on October 15, 2018. At 12:53 a.m., he forced his way into the house and shot her parents to death.

According to his classmates, he was withdrawn and isolated as a high school student, he didn’t go to games or care about that stuff. He just ignored everyone and everyone ignored him. He never had a girlfriend, and he had no girls as friends.

Jayme Lynn Closs is the only child of James and Denise Closs of Barron, Wisconsin. She was born on July 13, 2005.

Jake Patterson drove to the Closs home on October 5, 2018, to take Jayme Closs away. He didn't break in because he was afraid there would be witnesses in the house. Patterson tried again two days later, but for the same reason, he failed again.

On October 15, he came back for a third time, but this time he had a shotgun with him. Patterson parked his car at the end of the driveway just before 12:53 a.m. Central Time. He walked up to the front door of the house with the shotgun in his hand and a black coat and ski mask on.

James Closs, who was 56 years old, shined a light on Patterson through a glass panel in the front door and asked him to show him his badge. Patterson only shot once, killing Closs.

Patterson forced his way into the house and went through every room to make sure "no witnesses were left behind." He found that the door to the bathroom was locked, so he started shooting it down. Denise Closs, who was 46 years old, and Jayme were in the bathroom. Jayme was crying loudly, and Denise tried to make her feel better. At 12:53 a.m., Denise Closs placed a 911 call.

Even though Denise Closs didn't say anything, the operator heard noise and yelling before the call ended. When the dispatcher called back the number, they got Denise Closs's voicemail. Patterson used duct tape to tie Jayme's wrists and ankles together, and then he shot and killed Denise Closs.

He pulled Jayme out of the house, put her in the trunk of his car, and drove off.

Patterson made Closs change into a different set of pajamas when they got to his cabin. He then pushed her under his bed and locked all the doors before going to sleep.

Life in Captivity

Patterson thought that Closs was too scared of him to try to get away. He "never had special locks put on doors so she couldn't get out." They slept in the same bed as well.

Patterson didn't let Closs out of the cabin very often. When he did, it was only for short walks on the lawn after he made sure no one else was around.

Patterson claimed he couldn't assault her sexually because he felt guilt. According to him, they basically played games together, talked, and cooked a lot of food together.

On January 10, 2019, in the afternoon, Patterson told Closs he was leaving for a few hours. As usual, he put her under his bed and then put her in a box with his other things. After he left, Closs moved the things that were around the bed. She ran out of the house wearing a light shirt, leggings, and a pair of Patterson's sneakers.

Closs ran into a woman who was walking her dog. She had seen Closs on the news and took her straight to a neighbor's house. After calling the police, Closs told them that "Jake Patterson" had killed her parents, taken her, and held her captive just a few houses away from where she was at the time.

The police came and took Closs away to keep her safe.

Arrest and Sentencing

Based on what Closs said about Patterson and his car, deputies were able to spot Patterson's car when he drove by the house a few minutes later.

When he was stopped by a deputy, Patterson got out of his car and said, "I did it."

*************

This book is available on Amazon

WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS: 20 Most Shocking True Crime Stories of Miscarriage of Justice

************

Patterson was sentenced on to the maximum of two consecutive life sentences without parole for the murders and an extra 40 years for the kidnapping.