UPDATE: At a 4 p.m. press conference Tuesday, officials said that they are waiting for further resources to conduct the autopsy planned for today in the shooting incident that claimed the lives of Jayme’s parents, James and Denise. A hundred people are actively working the case and over 200 tips have been received.
A secondary search and reprocessing of the house where the incident occurred and the grounds did not reveal any new information. The purpose was to cover all angles, said Fitgerald.
Officials have identified the owner of the cell phone that made the 911 call, but would not reveal whose phone it was.
In a press conference at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department commented more about the disappearance of 13 year-old Jayme Closs from Barron County. The disappearance came after an apparent homicide of parents James Closs, 56, and Denise Closs, 46 at their residence.
Results from the autopsy will be shared at a 4 p.m. press conference. The FBI and Department of Criminal Investigation are assisting with the case.
According to a press release from the department, on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 12:58 a.m. the Barron County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from a subject asking for help at 1268 Hwy 8. Jayme is age 13, 5 feet tall, 100 pounds, green eyes and blond or strawberry hair. She is described as a sweet and shy girl who enjoys dancing and sports.
Tips can be reported to the tip line at 1-855-744-3879. Anyone that has contact with Jayme is asked to contact the Barron County Sheriff’s Department at 715-537-3106 immediately.
Community members may have knowledge of the crime without realizing it, said Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald during the press conference. Individuals may observe behavior changes such as a break in routine (missing work and appointments, leaving town) and altering an appearance.
“Every second counts in this case,” he said. Many tips have already been received and are being followed up on. Regarding the possible sighting of Jayme in Miami, Fitzgerald would only say that every tip is being considered and that information would be released to the public as it would assist in the case through the sheriff department Facebook page and the FBI Twitter account.
No contact was made during a 911 call received on that night but an overheard disturbance on the line led responders to the residence. Details surrounding what happened during the disturbance inside the home which included shots fired are part of the active investigation and are being processed. The official cause of death was not divulged.
“I will not interrupt this investigation if not necessary,” said Fitzgerald. He does not believe there is a danger to the community.
Jayme was seen during a Sunday afternoon family gathering but no official time was confirmed as to when she was last seen. She is considered missing and endangered.
“I haven’t seen anything like this. In rural western Wisconsin, we don’t see this, thankfully,” said Fitzgerald. “I couldn’t be more thankful for the team behind me.”
