FBI Takes Lead In Search Of Jayme Closs, 13
BARRON, WI — The search for 13-year-old Wisconsin girl Jayme Closs has entered its third day, and the FBI has taken the lead in investigating her parents’ mysterious death and her disappearance.
Closs is considered “endangered” and is not a suspect in the killing of her parents, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department said. “We’re over 200 tips, which is a great source, but we need those tips to come in,” Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said.
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.
Police believe she may have been kidnapped at gunpoint from her home. They were called to the home on the 1200 block of Highway 8 in a mostly inaudible 911 call around 1 a.m. Inside, they found James Closs, 56, and Denise Closs, 46, dead from gunshot wounds.
According to a Chicago Tribune report, 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 said in the report. “We really don’t know them — our contact has been minimal.”
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 said in a CBS News report. “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 said in the CBS report. “It’s just unsettling.”
Amber Alert Issued, And An Unlikely Tip
It’s unclear who placed the emergency call, and a nationwide Amber alert has been issued for Jayme.
Jayme is 5 feet tall and weighs 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.
Police in Miami, Florida, said overnight a girl fitting Jayme’s description was sighted between 2-3 p.m. Monday at a gas station in that city. A man told police the girl resembling Jayme was in a black Ford Explorer with possible Wisconsin license plate of 160WER. Two well-dressed, Middle Eastern men in their 30s, both with beards, were inside the vehicle, police said. They were described as 5 feet, 7 inches to about 5 feet, 9 inches, and weighed between 200 and 250 pounds, Miami police said.
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald told Fox 9 he is skeptical about the reported sighting in Miami. His office is following it up as a tip, but doubts the timing of it all. Fitzgerald said that Closs’ alleged 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.
Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said in an interview Monday that his office has used drones, infrared scanners and conducted an extensive foot search in their efforts to find Closs.
Click Here: Cardiff Blues Store
Authorities released additional photos of Closs as law enforcement continues their search for her.
Submitted Photos