Kidnapping of Jayme Closs

Jayme Lynn Closs (born 2005) is the only child of James and Denise Closs of Barron, Wisconsin.{{Cite web |last1=King |first1=Gayle |last2=Van Sant |first2=Peter |last3=Axelrod |first3=Jim |last4=Diaz |first4=Adriana |date=2019-06-13 |title=Jayme Closs: Hometown Hero |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-hometown-hero/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810232020/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-hometown-hero/ |archive-date=August 10, 2023 |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Li |first=David K. |date=May 24, 2019 |title=Man who kidnapped Jayme Closs and murdered her parents sentenced to life in prison |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-who-kidnapped-jayme-closs-murdered-her-parents-be-sentenced-n1009681 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608115335/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-who-kidnapped-jayme-closs-murdered-her-parents-be-sentenced-n1009681 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |access-date=2019-06-16 |website=NBC News |publisher= |language=en}} In October of 2018, Jake Patterson drove to the Closs home to kidnap Jayme Closs. Activity in the home deterred him, as he was afraid he would leave witnesses. Patterson made a second attempt two days later but again aborted for the same reason. On October 15, he made a third visit, this time armed with a shotgun. Shortly before 12:53 a.m. Central Time (05:53 UTC), Patterson parked his car at the end of the driveway. Wearing a black coat and ski mask, he approached the front door of the home, carrying the shotgun.{{cite news |last1=Baumhardt |first1=Alexandra |last2=Rosenberg |first2=Eli |last3=Bever |first3=Lindsey |date=14 January 2019 |title=He spotted Jayme Closs at a bus stop, then launched a deadly plan to kidnap her, police say |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/14/strength-that-this-little-girl-has-jayme-closss-family-talks-their-love-pride/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=25 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122013719/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/14/strength-that-this-little-girl-has-jayme-closss-family-talks-their-love-pride/ |archive-date=22 January 2021}} James Closs, 56, shone a light on Patterson through a glass pane in the front door and asked him to show him his badge. Patterson called out, "Open the fucking door!" James responded by asking Patterson to identify himself. Patterson fired once, fatally shooting Closs. Forcing his way into the house, Patterson checked every room in the house because he wanted "no witnesses left behind." He found the bathroom door locked and began hitting it down. Inside the bathroom were Denise Closs, 46, and Jayme. Denise was comforting Jayme, who was crying loudly. At 12:53 a.m., Denise Closs made a 911 call.{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Ray |date=January 19, 2019 |title=The Jayme Closs case: A chilling tale of murder, kidnapping and escape in rural America |work=CNN |publisher= |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/19/us/jayme-closs-case-moment-by-moment/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119160748/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/19/us/jayme-closs-case-moment-by-moment/index.html |archive-date=January 19, 2019}}{{Cite news |last=May |first=Ashley |date=18 October 2018 |title=Wisconsin girl missing 4 days: What we know about Jayme Closs' disappearance and her parents' death |language=en |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/18/missing-wisconsin-girl-jayme-closs-parents-shot-death/1680543002/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328042717/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/18/missing-wisconsin-girl-jayme-closs-parents-shot-death/1680543002/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019}}

While Denise Closs did not speak, the operator heard a disturbance and yelling before the phone call disconnected. When the dispatcher called the number back, they reached the voicemail of Denise.{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Darran |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Sheriff seeks 2,000 volunteers in search for missing girl – that’s two-thirds of the town’s population |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/22/us/wisconsin-missing-girl-jayme-closs/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023054850/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/22/us/wisconsin-missing-girl-jayme-closs/ |archive-date=October 23, 2018}} Patterson bound Jayme's wrists and ankles using duct tape, then fatally shot Denise Closs. He dragged Jayme outside, almost slipping on blood, placed her in the trunk of his car, and drove away. The police arrived four minutes after the 911 call.{{Cite news |last=BeMiller |first=Haley |date=17 October 2018 |title=Missing Wisconsin girl's parents died from gunshots, Jayme Closs may have been there, sheriff says |language=en |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/17/missing-wisconsin-girl-jayme-closs-parents-were-shot-death/1676980002/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024232043/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/17/missing-wisconsin-girl-jayme-closs-parents-were-shot-death/1676980002/ |archive-date=October 24, 2018}} Patterson later told investigators that he pulled over 20 seconds down the road from the house. Deputies sped by with emergency lights and sirens on.{{cite web |title=Jayme Closs kidnapping suspect applied for job at liquor distributor on day she escaped |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-kidnapping-suspect-jake-patterson-applied-for-job-at-liquor-distributor-on-day-she-escaped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117200343/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-kidnapping-suspect-jake-patterson-applied-for-job-at-liquor-distributor-on-day-she-escaped/ |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=CBS News |date=January 17, 2019 |publisher=}} Neighbors said they heard two gunshots but dismissed them since hunting was common around their homes.{{Cite news |last=BeMiller |first=Haley |date=22 October 2018 |title=Jayme Closs: Police seek two vehicles seen near Wisconsin slaying, girl's disappearance |language=en |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/22/jayme-closs-neighbor-recounts-night-murders-disappearance/1733301002/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328042731/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/22/jayme-closs-neighbor-recounts-night-murders-disappearance/1733301002/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019}}{{Cite news |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Neighbors of missing Wisconsin girl heard gunshots 20 minutes before 911 call |language=en |work=CBS News |publisher= |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-missing-wisconsin-teen-neighbors-recall-hearing-gunshots-20-minutes-before-911-call/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515111218/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-missing-wisconsin-teen-neighbors-recall-hearing-gunshots-20-minutes-before-911-call/ |archive-date=May 15, 2019}} After arriving at his cabin, Patterson made Closs change into a different pair of pajamas.{{Cite web |last=Dedaj |first=Paulina |date=December 22, 2019 |title=Jayme Closs' captor manipulated her, admitted to having sexual fantasies of the teen, new documents reveal |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/jayme-closs-jake-patterson-new-documents.amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223162830/https://www.foxnews.com/us/jayme-closs-jake-patterson-new-documents.amp |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |access-date=2019-12-23 |website=Fox News}}

Less than two weeks after Jayme's abduction, a man burglarized the Closs family home, stealing some of Jayme's clothing. He was arrested, but not considered a suspect in the abduction and double murder.{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2018 |title=Suspect charged in theft of missing Wisconsin teen's clothes, underwear |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-kyle-jaenke-annis-suspect-charged-in-theft-of-missing-wisconsin-teens-clothes-underwear/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831082242/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jayme-closs-kyle-jaenke-annis-suspect-charged-in-theft-of-missing-wisconsin-teens-clothes-underwear/ |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=CBS}}

File:Jayme Closs FBI Missing Poster.jpg on October 19, 2018.]]

During Closs' captivity, Patterson would threaten her that "bad things would happen" to her if she tried to escape. Whenever Patterson left the home, he would hide Closs underneath his bed, and would barricade the bed with bins filled with weightlifting equipment, so that she could not see out, and so that it would be apparent if she made any attempts to escape. Patterson's father would regularly visit the cabin on Saturdays, so Patterson would hide her under the bed on those days, additionally turning up the radio to drown out any noise she might make.

Patterson would hide her under his bed for up to 12 hours at a time, with no food, water, or bathroom breaks. At Christmas time, Patterson left his home to visit his grandparents in Superior, Wisconsin, 45 minutes away from his home in Gordon, and left her under his bed for several hours. On one occasion, Closs says she accidentally moved one of the bins, and Patterson threatened that bad things would happen if she did it again. Closs says on one occasion when she upset Patterson, he hit her "really hard" on the back with a curtain rod.

Patterson believed that Closs was too afraid of him to make any escape attempts. He "never put special locks on doors because she wouldn’t escape." They also slept on the same bed. Patterson would rarely let Closs out of the cabin, only doing so for brief walks on the lawn after checking for bystanders.

On the afternoon of January 10, 2019, Patterson told Closs he was leaving for a couple of hours. He put her under his bed before boxing her inside with his belongings, per his usual routine. After he departed, Closs pushed out the objects around the bed. She ran from the house wearing a light shirt, leggings, and a pair of Patterson's sneakers. Closs came across a local woman, Jeanne Nutter, walking her dog, Henry. Nutter recognized Closs from news reports and immediately took her to a neighbor's house.{{cite web |title=Jayme Closs located alive, suspect in custody |url=https://kstp.com/news/jayme-closs-located-alive/5206010/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111024758/https://kstp.com/news/jayme-closs-located-alive/5206010/ |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=January 10, 2019 |website=KSTP 5}} After police were called, Closs told them "Jake Patterson" had killed her parents, taken her, and kept her prisoner just a few houses away from her current location in the neighborhood. The neighbors described Closs as calm, quiet, dazed, and surprised that they recognized her from news coverage.

The police arrived around 4:45 p.m. and removed Closs from the area for her safety.{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Angelica |title='I did it:' $5M cash bond for Jake Patterson, charged with kidnapping Jayme Closs, killing her parents |publisher=fox6now.com |url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/i-did-it-5m-cash-bond-for-jake-patterson-charged-with-kidnapping-jayme-closs-killing-her-parents |url-status=live |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328101500/https://fox6now.com/2019/01/14/charges-filed-jake-patterson-accused-of-kidnapping-jayme-closs-killing-her-parents/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019}} The description Closs provided for Patterson and his vehicle enabled deputies to spot his car just minutes afterwards when Patterson, knowing that Closs had escaped from his residence and in search of her, drove by the house.{{cite web |date=January 11, 2019 |title=Rescuers recount dramatic moments Jayme Closs was rescued |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/rescuers-recount-dramatic-moments-jayme-closs-was-rescued/89-9c768790-c54a-4c89-a09c-79aa8e7b4885 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |website=KARE}} After a deputy stopped him, Patterson exited his vehicle and said, "I did it."{{cite news |title=The Latest: Smart: Teen's escape shows why we can't give up |publisher=WRAL |url=https://www.wral.com/the-latest-aunt-wisconsin-teen-escaped-now-hospitalized/18117242/ |url-status=dead |access-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111210203/https://www.wral.com/the-latest-aunt-wisconsin-teen-escaped-now-hospitalized/18117242/ |archive-date=January 11, 2019}} He was arrested shortly after and brought to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in Superior for questioning.

A hospital admitted Closs under guard. The next morning, they released her to the custody of her aunt, Jennifer Smith. Hormel, the parent company of the Jennie-O plant where Closs's parents worked, announced on January 24 that they would grant $25,000 reward money to Closs for rescuing herself.{{cite web |last=Grinberg |first=Emmanuella |date=January 24, 2019 |title=Jayme Closs to get $25K reward money after saving herself |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/23/us/jayme-closs-reward-money/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124021634/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/23/us/jayme-closs-reward-money/index.html |archive-date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |work=CNN}}

{{Infobox criminal

| name = Jake Thomas Patterson

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|6|17}}

| death_date =

| education = Northwood High School

| height = 5.9 feet

| criminal_status = Incarcerated

| criminal_charge = Two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping

| sentence = Two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole plus 40 years

| imprisoned = Penitentiary of New Mexico

}}

Patterson's parents divorced in 2007. He graduated from Northwood High School in nearby Minong, Wisconsin in 2015. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, but was discharged after one month at MCRD San Diego.{{cite news |title=Suspect in Jayme Closs Kidnapping Was Discharged from MCRD |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/suspect-in-jayme-closs-kidnapping-was-discharged-from-mcrd/608/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200909/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Suspect-in-Jayme-Closs-Kidnapping-Was-Discharged-from-MCRD-504403471.html |archive-date=January 16, 2019}}{{cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |title=Accused Jayme Closs kidnapper shaved his head before abduction, authorities say |url=https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/01/13/accused-jayme-closs-kidnapper-shaved-his-head-so-he-would-not-leave-hair-behind-at-her-home-authorities-say/23641334/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232513/https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/01/13/accused-jayme-closs-kidnapper-shaved-his-head-so-he-would-not-leave-hair-behind-at-her-home-authorities-say/23641334/ |archive-date=January 13, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=AOL.com}} Patterson had no prior criminal history in the state of Wisconsin.{{Cite web |title=Missing Wisconsin teen found alive: What we know about the kidnapping suspect, Jayme Closs's escape |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/11/jayme-closs-updates-what-we-know-wisconsin-teen-found-alive/2545760002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419055932/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/11/jayme-closs-updates-what-we-know-wisconsin-teen-found-alive/2545760002/ |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |website=USA Today |language=en}}

Police did not believe Patterson had any social media contact with Closs or her family{{cite web |last=Corbin |first=Cristina |date=January 12, 2019 |title=Neighbor who came to Jayme Closs' aid: 'We were armed and ready' for suspect to come looking |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/neighbor-who-came-to-jayme-closs-aid-we-were-armed-and-ready-for-suspect-to-come-looking |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121092806/https://www.foxnews.com/us/neighbor-who-came-to-jayme-closs-aid-we-were-armed-and-ready-for-suspect-to-come-looking |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |website=Fox News}} and relatives of Closs did not recognize Patterson's name.{{cite web |date=January 12, 2019 |title=Jayme Closs Located Alive |url=http://www.fox9.com/news/jayme-closs-located-alive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111065421/http://www.fox9.com/news/jayme-closs-located-alive |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |publisher=Fox 9}} Patterson told authorities he saw Closs getting on a school bus outside the family residence in September while he was driving to work and that he "knew that she was the girl I wanted to take". The day Closs escaped, Patterson applied for a job at a liquor distribution facility in Superior, Wisconsin.

Patterson's grandfather stated, "Something went terribly wrong, nobody had any clues... We are absolutely heartbroken. It's wrenching to deal with. He was shy and quiet, he backed off from crowds, but a nice boy, polite. Computer games were more of a priority than social interaction."{{cite news |last=Goelz |first=Jennifer |title=Father of kidnap suspect has a letter for Jayme Closs's family |url=https://www.news8000.com/father-of-kidnap-suspect-has-a-letter-for-jayme-closs-family/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328042823/https://www.news8000.com/news/national-news/father-of-jayme-closs-kidnap-suspect-has-letter-for-her-family/977881353 |archive-date=March 28, 2019}}

Authorities began questioning Patterson after his transport to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Patterson confessed immediately to kidnapping Closs and killing her parents. On January 14, Patterson appeared in a Barron County courthouse to be charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one count of kidnapping, and one count of armed burglary. Barron County Circuit Court Judge James Babler set his bail at $5 million.{{cite web |date=January 15, 2019 |title=Suspect in Jayme Closs disappearance moved to different jail |url=https://kstp.com/news/suspect-jayme-closs-disappearance-case-jake-patterson-moved-polk-county-jail-wisconsin/5210764/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115223115/https://kstp.com/news/suspect-jayme-closs-disappearance-case-jake-patterson-moved-polk-county-jail-wisconsin/5210764/ |archive-date=January 15, 2019 |access-date=January 17, 2019 |publisher=KSTP-TV}}{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Doug |date=2019-02-06 |title=Jake Patterson, accused of abducting Jayme Closs, makes first appearance in courtroom |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2019/02/06/jayme-closs-case-jake-patterson-preliminary-hearing-homicide-kidnapping/2782182002/ |access-date=February 12, 2019 |work=Green Bay Press Gazette}} At Patterson's arraignment, his father had told a reporter that he had a note of apology that he was trying to get to Closs. Patterson appeared again in-person on February 6, 2019, and waived his right to a preliminary examination.{{Cite news |last=Spewak |first=Danny |last2=Raguse |first2=Lou |last3=Associated Press |title=Jake Patterson waives right to preliminary hearing in Jayme Closs case |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/jake-patterson-suspect-in-jayme-closs-case-will-appear-in-court-wednesday/89-6bd37646-f5c4-4f7f-821f-82f39ff41ac5 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=KARE 11}}

About a month later, in March, Patterson wrote a letter to a reporter with KARE 11 News in Minneapolis, responding to questions the reporter sent him asking him questions regarding the case. In his response, Patterson expresses his intent to plead guilty, stating he "didn't want Jayme and her family to worry about a trial." Patterson denied claims from authorities that he had planned out the murders and kidnapping, saying that it was "mostly on impulse." Patterson apologized for the crimes, saying "I can't believe I did this" and "he can't express" how sorry he is for hurting Jayme. On the back of the letter, Patterson wrote in bubble letters "I'm sorry Jayme! For everything. I know it doesn't mean much."{{cite web |last1=BeMiller |first1=Haley |last2=Thompson |first2=Andy |date=March 21, 2019 |title=Jake Patterson's letter, phone interview 'pierce Jayme's soul' as he molds narrative |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2019/03/21/jayme-closs-jake-patterson-letter-interview-could-harm-teen-family/3211894002/ |access-date=March 28, 2019 |work=Green Bay Gazette}}{{cite news |last=Lang |first=Amy B. |date=March 9, 2019 |title='It was really stupid': Jayme Closs kidnapping suspect reportedly confesses in letter from jail |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/08/it-was-really-stupid-accused-jayme-closs-kidnapper-reportedly-admits-crime-letter-jail/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005106/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/08/it-was-really-stupid-accused-jayme-closs-kidnapper-reportedly-admits-crime-letter-jail/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite web |last=Raguse |first=Lou |date=March 7, 2019 |title='I can't believe I did this' – Accused Jayme Closs kidnapper writes letter from jail |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/i-cant-believe-i-did-this-accused-jayme-closs-kidnapper-writes-letter-from-jail/89-e1a0eb81-4e41-474c-9800-5aa3672a7883 |access-date=March 27, 2019 |work=KARE 11}}

Later that month, a television reporter with WCCO in Minneapolis received a cell phone call from Patterson in which he briefly answered questions sent to him in a letter. Regarding the time Closs spent in captivity, Patterson said, "We were just like watching TV, playing board games, talking about stuff. We cooked a lot, everything we made was homemade, you know".{{cite web |last=Mayerle |first=Jennifer |date=March 15, 2019 |title=Accused Closs Kidnapper Jake Patterson Calls WCCO's Jennifer Mayerle |url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/03/15/accused-closs-kidnapper-jake-patterson-calls-wccos-jennifer-mayerle/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328000117/https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/03/15/accused-closs-kidnapper-jake-patterson-calls-wccos-jennifer-mayerle/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |access-date=March 28, 2019 |work=WCCO-TV}}

On March 27, Patterson appeared in court again in-person. Patterson agreed to plead guilty to the two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, and the kidnapping charge. The charge of armed burglary was dismissed. Prosecutors from both Barron County and Douglas County, where Closs was held, decided not to pursue charges for any potential crimes committed at Patterson's home, as they did not want to bring Closs in for questioning and believed that there was sufficient evidence to pursue a life sentence without additional charges. Patterson pled guilty to the first three counts, and the judge revoked his bond. As Patterson left the courtroom, he shouted "Bye, Jayme!" at the courtroom camera.{{cite web |last=Karnowski |first=Steve |date=March 27, 2018 |title=Jake Patterson pleads guilty to kidnapping Jayme Closs, killing her parents |url=https://madison.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/jake-patterson-pleads-guilty-to-kidnapping-jayme-closs-killing-her/article_6ba4c67d-e0c1-5a6d-bf91-7d27447c8291.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327221816/https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime-and-courts/jake-patterson-pleads-guilty-to-kidnapping-jayme-closs-killing-her/article_6ba4c67d-e0c1-5a6d-bf91-7d27447c8291.html#tracking-source=home-top-story |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |work=Wisconsin State Journal}}{{cite web |last=Burke |first=Minyvonne |date=March 27, 2019 |title=Wisconsin man pleads guilty to kidnapping Jayme Closs, murdering her parents |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wisconsin-man-charged-kidnapping-jayme-closs-murdering-her-parents-pleads-n988091 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328032544/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wisconsin-man-charged-kidnapping-jayme-closs-murdering-her-parents-pleads-n988091 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2019 |publisher=NBC News}}{{Cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Angelica |date=March 27, 2019 |title='Bye, Jayme:' Jake Patterson pleads guilty to charges in kidnapping of Jayme Closs, murder of her parents |url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/bye-jayme-jake-patterson-pleads-guilty-to-charges-in-kidnapping-of-jayme-closs-murder-of-her-parents |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=FOX 6 Milwaukee}}

On May 24, Patterson was sentenced to life in prison without the eligibility for parole. Several members of Closs's family gave victim impact statements. While Closs herself was not at the sentencing hearing, a family attorney read a statement on behalf of her. In her statement, Closs says her parents and her home "were the most important things in her life" and that Patterson "took them away from her in a way that will always leave her with a horrifying memory." Closs described how everyday activities such as going out in public have been difficult due to a lack of a sense of safety. Closs stated that there are things Patterson could never take from her. She stated that Patterson "thought that he could own her, but he was wrong." She asked the judge to lock Patterson up forever.

Patterson's attorneys argued for a sentence of life with a possibility of parole far down the road, which would enable him with rehabilitative programs while in prison. The judge stated that a light sentence like that would be redundant, as Patterson had no diagnosis or sign of any psychopathic behavior or mental disorder. The judge sentenced Patterson to the maximum of life in prison without the eligibility for parole on the murder charges, plus an additional 40 years for the kidnapping.

On June 20, Jake Patterson was registered officially as a sex offender.{{Cite web |date=2019-06-20 |title=Jayme Closs Kidnapper Officially Registered Lifetime Sex Offender |url=https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/06/jayme-closs-kidnapper-jake-patterson-officially-deemed-registered-sex-offender/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621135124/https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/06/jayme-closs-kidnapper-jake-patterson-officially-deemed-registered-sex-offender/ |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |access-date=2019-06-22 |website=RadarOnline |language=en-US}} In July, he was transferred from the Dodge Correctional Institution to an out-of-state prison in New Mexico. In August 2019, while in the New Mexico prison, he got into a fight with another inmate.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2019 |title=Video shows kidnapper of Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs in prison fight |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/ncna1083811 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909100400/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/ncna1083811 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2020 |website=NBC News}}{{cite news |title=Jake Patterson deleted from Wisconsin prison records as he's quietly moved to New Mexico |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/25/jake-patterson-jayme-closs-prison-wisconsin-new-mexico/1824369001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725121221/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/25/jake-patterson-jayme-closs-prison-wisconsin-new-mexico/1824369001/ |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=July 25, 2019}}

On December 20, the Wisconsin Department of Justice released all the investigative files into the Closs case. Several portions of the files are redacted out of respect for Closs's privacy, including her interview after her escape.{{Cite news |date=December 20, 2019 |title=Investigative files in Jayme Closs case released |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/investigative-files-in-jayme-closs-case-released |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=Fox 9}}{{Cite news |last=Associated Press |last2=KARE Staff |date=December 20, 2019 |title=Jayme Closs case file released |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/jayme-closs/new-files-released-in-jayme-closs-case/89-05fe944d-a150-42ff-bebc-0d899329325d |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=KARE 11}}

==See also==

• List of homicides in Wisconsin
• Lists of solved missing person cases

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{notelist}}

• {{cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/jayme-closs |title=Jayme Closs – Located |date=October 15, 2018 |work=Kidnappings/Missing Persons |series=Most Wanted |publisher=FBI |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024165837/https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/jayme-closs |url-status=dead}}
• {{cite web |url=https://drydenwire.com/news/read-the-criminal-complaint-filed-against-jake-patterson/ |title=Read The Criminal Complaint Filed Against Jake Patterson |date=January 14, 2019}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Closs, Jayme}}

Category:2010s kidnappings in the United States

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Category:FBI Most Wanted Kidnappings and Missing Persons

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Category:October 2018 crimes in the United States