Watch Live: Sheriff Updates Search Of Jayme Closs, 13
An Amber Alert was issued for Jayme Closs, 13, after her parents were found shot to death in their Wisconsin home.By Scott Anderson, Patch Staff | Oct 18, 2018 4:32 pm ET | Updated Oct 24, 2018 12:14 pm ET
Watch Live: Sheriff Updates Search Of Jayme Closs, 13
BARRON, WI — Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald will be delivering a live update on the search of Jayme Closs, the missing and endangered 13-year-old girl who has eluded detection more than a week after her parents were found shot and killed in their Barron County home.
On Tuesday, 2,000 volunteers explored the five square miles around the Closs family home. They marched in 14 groups, outfitted with sticks as they scoured cornfields, prairie lands, back yards, parks and wooded areas for anything that could help: a cell phone, a piece of clothing or even the gun that was used in the shooting.
After seven hours, investigators said that no new evidence had been dug up by volunteers. "It's unbelievable, we're a small community and for something of this magnitude to happen here, it's just horrific," said volunteer Ruth Madison in a CBS Local report.
On Wednesday afternoon, Fitzgerald said he would update the public on new developments in the case. That update can be viewed here at 4 p.m. CDT.
Fitzgerald said Monday that authorities are now looking for tips about a red or orange Dodge Challenger and a black Ford Edge or Acura MDX sport utility vehicle. "If you have seen any of the vehicles in the general area of Barron, WI, between approximately October 8th, and October 22nd, 2018, please contact the Barron County tip line," he wrote Monday. Fitzgerald didn't elaborate much on how they're linked to her disappearance or the death of her parents, only to say that they're "vehicles of interest."
911 Call Offers Clues
Information by local authorities late last week shed more light on the tragic moments before her parents' death and her unexplained disappearance.
She was ruled out as a suspect after her parents, 46-year-old Denise and 56-year-old James Closs, were found shot to death in their home early Monday morning. Investigators believe Jayme is alive, but endangered, and have urged the public to call in tips.
Barron County Sheriff's officials say that a 911 call made to local authorities the morning of the shooting came from the mother's cell phone, and that the door to their home was kicked in.
During the 911 call, dispatchers reported hearing "a lot of yelling." Authorities tried calling the cell phone back, however nobody answered. They tried to call the home's land line, only to learn that it had been disconnected.
The transcript's initial entries say that emergency responders were dispatched for an apparent suicide attempt, but that the call was quickly changed to a homicide call. Dispatchers recorded that multiple gunshots had been fired. Authorities have not indicated who made the call.
A transcript of that 911 call is viewable here.
Search Expanded To Entire U.S.
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says authorities have received more than 1,000 tips about the whereabouts of Closs, though none of those tips have borne any fruit.
Local authorities in partnership with the FBI and Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation are continuing their investigation. They've released new photos of Closs, deployed K9 officers, used thermal sensors and have conducted a massive foot and door-to-door search.
Authorities have expanded their search to the entire U.S., and have added resources in an attempt to discover anything that can help track down Closs, who is believed to have been kidnapped at gunpoint. The FBI has added her to their top kidnappings and missing persons list. The bureau also said it has posted information about Closs to digital billboards across the nation and asked anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact the FBI.
About 100 volunteers in Wisconsin joined in the search for Jayme Thursday, but Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said on Facebook that so far, "nothing of evidentiary value has been recovered." The Sheriff's office is continuing their aggressive search for Jayme and is working with local, state and federal law enforcement. Fitzgerald said Friday his office has received more than 1,000 tips - and are welcoming more. The office has added a new tip line just for this case at: (855) 744-3879. Sheriff's officials have also have added an email address,
jaymetips@co.barron.wi.us where photos or videos related to possible sightings can be submitted.
Neighbors Tom and Joan Smrekar woke up early that morning to the sound of two gunshots, only seconds apart at 12:31 a.m. They were interviewed by the FBI later on Monday. "They were fine neighbors," Tom Smrekar told the Associated Press. "We really don't know them — our contact has been minimal."
Jayme's grandfather, 72-year-old Robert Naiberg told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that nothing appeared out of the ordinary when Jayme and her mother appeared at a family gathering earlier that Sunday while Jayme's dad was at work.
A candlelight vigil was held Tuesday night in Wisconsin, as community members mourned the loss of Closs' parents and Jayme's disappearance.
"Everyone is feeling very helpless right now," family friend Melissa Salmonson told CBS News. "People in the small, tight-knit community are rattled. They gathered Tuesday night at a vigil to pray for Jayme's safe return."
"It makes you hug your kids. It makes you nervous," community member Bethany Stevens told the network. "It's just unsettling."
Amber Alert Issued, And An Unlikely Tip
In an Amber Alert issued Monday, authorities described Jayme as 5 feet tall and weighing about 100 pounds. She has green eyes and blond or strawberry blond hair. Anyone with information about her location or anyone who has had recent contact with Jayme is asked to call 911 and Barron County Sheriff's Office at (855) 744-3879 0r (715) 537-3106.
Earlier this week, police in Miami said they received a tip about a girl who matched Jayme's description at a gas station, but Fitzgerald told television station KMSP that he is skeptical about the reported sighting. Investigators are following up on the tip, but Fitzgerald said it's unlikely the girl was Jayme. The reported sighting in Miami was about 15 hours after the police responded to her home. The drive time from Wisconsin to Miami is about 26 hours according to Google Maps.
Authorities released additional photos of Closs as law enforcement continues their search for her.
Authorities say 13-year-old Jayme Closs is missing and endangered after they found her mother and father both dead early Monday morning. An Amber Alert has been issued for her. (Submitted Photo)
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Submitted Photos
Lead photo via FBI
https://patch.com/wisconsin/waukesha/sheriff-pleas-help-finding-jayme-closs-13