Jayme Closs, the 13-year-old Wisconsin girl who’s gone missing, was at her house when her parents were shot to death and was likely abducted shortly after the murders, officials said.
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said at a press conference on Oct. 17 that evidence from the house and a 911 call indicated that the teenager was at home when her parents were killed at their home in Barron, about 80 miles northeast of Minneapolis, early in the morning on Oct. 15.
“Based on our investigation thus far, we believe Jayme was in the home at the time of homicides and we believe she is still in danger,” Fitzgerald said, reported WCCO. “Every second counts in this case.”
Officials said previously that the 911 call, which came in around 1 a.m., prompted a police response to the home, where they found the bodies of James and Denise Closs.
When officers arrived, Jayme Closs was gone. Her disappearance prompted a nationwide amber alert.
No solid tips have materialized as of yet, Fitzgerald said, urging members of the public to contact law enforcement with any information they might have. A tip from Florida was deemed not credible.
Fitzgerald also said on Wednesday that no gun was found at the scene but confirmed that the couple was shot dead, which he had not previously, saying he was waiting for autopsy results. The autopsies concluded the deaths were homicides.
The FBI in office in Milwaukee said Closs was likely taken from the house by an unknown person who had a gun, reported ABC.
#FBIMilwaukee needs your help, as the search continues to bring home 13 year old Jayme Closs, now missing & endangered after her parents were found dead in their home in Barron, WI early this week. Call the tip line 1-855-744-3879.#FindJayme pic.twitter.com/rNELlQKJb6
— FBI Milwaukee (@FBIMilwaukee) October 17, 2018
Barron County Sheriff's Dept. seeking info in a dbl homicide this morning of 2 adults and seeking teenager considered missing & endangered. Jayme Closs age 13, 5 ft, 100 lbs, green eyes, blond/strawberry hair. Call 715-537-3106 or https://t.co/FCn9D3ZIN1 https://t.co/RYQaNgLnXd pic.twitter.com/OWHQuPMtYb
— FBI Milwaukee (@FBIMilwaukee) October 15, 2018
Parents Denise and Jim Closs found dead in Barron Co home…their 13 year old daughter Jayme is missing… pic.twitter.com/nHZtk8cemG
— Beth McDonough (@bmcdonoughkstp) October 16, 2018
Area Residents React
People living in the small town of Barron said they hope the case is resolved soon.
“It would be nice if we could find something out, it’s been very mysterious situation, kind of creepy,” Pat Richter, who lives in the area, told WCCO.
“We want Jayme to come home safe and unhurt. We just pray for her that she comes home hopefully soon,” added Barron resident Jenny Wiehe.
Others noted that the murders have really affected the atmosphere.
“There’s a lot of fear, there’s a lot of anxiety through the kids, through the adults,” dance studio owner Christine Fink told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “It’s opened our eyes that it can happen here.”
Residents held a vigil on Tuesday night and about 200 met in a residents-only meeting with Fitzgerald on Wednesday night.