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A timeline of events in the Jayme Closs disappearance case

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Notable events in the disappearance and discovery of Jayme Closs, a 13-year-old Wisconsin girl who went missing after her parents were killed in the family home. She was found alive and a suspect has been charged.

Oct. 15, 2018 — James Closs, 56, and Denise Closs, 46, are found shot to death in their home in Barron, a town in western Wisconsin. Authorities issue an Amber Alert for 13-year-old Jayme Closs, and the search for her begins.

Oct. 16, 2018 — Investigators say they don’t consider Jayme a suspect in her parents’ deaths. Authorities also dismiss a tip placing Jayme’s whereabouts in Miami as “not credible,” and say they believe the girl is in danger.

Oct. 17, 2018 — Authorities announce that investigators believe Jayme was in her family’s home when he parents were fatally shot.

Oct. 18, 2018 — About 100 people join a ground search for Jayme after Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald requests the help of volunteers. The search turns up nothing useful. The Wisconsin Department of Justice announces it is sending therapists, comfort dogs and school resource officers to help students at the school Jayme attended.

Oct. 23, 2018 — About 2,000 volunteers from as far as Minneapolis help with another ground search. Several items are found and taken for assessment.

Oct. 24, 2018 — The FBI offers a $25,000 reward for information leading to Jayme’s location. The amount is later doubled to $50,000 by the Jennie-O Turkey Store, where James and Denise Closs worked.

Oct. 27, 2018 — Funerals are held for James and Denise Closs in Cameron, a village next to Barron.

Oct. 29, 2018 — Prosecutors announce they have charged a man with burglarizing the Closs home but say he’s not a suspect in the case.

Dec. 12, 2018 — Hundreds of people attend a “tree of hope” lighting ceremony in honor of Jayme in Barron.

Jan. 10, 2019 — Jayme is found alive in the Town of Gordon, a rural community about an hour from her home. A suspect is taken into custody.

Jan. 15, 2019 – Prosecutors charged Jake Patterson, 21, with kidnapping Jayme and killing her parents.

Feb. 6, 2019 – Patterson waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was ordered to stand trial.

March 7, 2019 – A Minnesota television station reported that Patterson said in a letter to a reporter that he plans to plead guilty so Jayme’s family won’t have “to worry about a trial.”

March 27, 2019 – Patterson pleaded guilty to kidnapping Closs and killing her parents.

May 24, 2019 – After hearing a statement from Closs, read by her attorney, a Wisconsin judge sentenced Patterson, who he called “the embodiment of evil,” to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Oct. 14, 2019 – A day before the anniversary of her kidnapping, a lawyer for Closs read a statement where she thanked supporters and said she is feeling stronger every day.