Denise Closs, aged 46, and her husband James Closs, aged 56, were tragically murdered on October 15, 2018, at their home in Barron, Wisconsin. The couple was found dead from gunshot wounds in what was later revealed to be a horrific home invasion and double murder. The incident also involved the abduction of their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme Closs, who was taken from the scene by the perpetrator.
The investigation into the murders and kidnapping led to the arrest of Jake Thomas Patterson, a 21-year-old man from Gordon, Wisconsin. Patterson had meticulously planned the crime, targeting Jayme after seeing her board a school bus. On the night of the murders, Patterson broke into the Closs home, fatally shot James and Denise Closs, and abducted Jayme. He held her captive for 88 days in a remote cabin before she managed to escape and seek help from neighbors.
Patterson was quickly apprehended and confessed to the crimes. He was charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping. In March 2019, Patterson pleaded guilty to all charges and was subsequently sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 40 years. The case drew significant media attention and highlighted issues related to child abduction and the importance of community vigilance.
Jayme Closs's escape and the subsequent arrest of Patterson brought some closure to the community, though the impact of the tragedy remains profound. Jayme has since been living with her aunt and uncle and has become an advocate for other missing and exploited children. The Closs family home, where the murders took place, was eventually demolished to help the community heal from the traumatic events.
