In a second new conference Friday, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said the man accused of kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs and killing her parents will be in court next week.
Jake Thomas Patterson faces two counts of homicide and another count of kidnapping. He will appear in Barron County Circuit Court on Monday.
Jayme Closs escaped from a home near Gordon, Wisconsin, and is in the process of reuniting with her family after Patterson allegedly kidnapped her.
Fitzgerald said investigators have recovered a shotgun believed to be the murder weapon, and also used to blow open the door of the Closs residence on Oct. 15. The door was not kicked in, as previously believed.
Fitzgerald also said Patterson took precautions not to leave evidence behind at the scene, including shaving his head before the attack and kidnap.
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The sheriff said it does not appear he knew the Closs family, however, for one or two days, Patterson did work at a Jenny-O plant that Jayme’s parents worked at.
Patterson was not at home when Jayme escaped.
Fitzgerald said Jayme is “doing well as circumstances allow,” and said she has already been reunited with her aunt. Plans are to reunite her with the rest of the family later in the day Friday.
