AMBER ALERT WI - Jayme Closs, 13, Barron, missing after parents found shot, 15 Oct 2018 *endangered* #26

[RavenDoc]

According to the Barron County sheriff's dispatch log St. Croix casino was called by dispatch at 04:19am, shortly after the murders. They called security at the casino and waiting for a callback to 303. Since Fitzgerald is 301 I think that would be one of his high ranking officers below him. This is on WS at beginning of thread. I don't know how to link it. Also on the log which is posted in another thread. Does anyone have an idea why the casino was called?

My guess, and MOO would be to see if there was any footage of vehicles driving by that may have been suspicious, or to see if victim was there prior.

 

[Rubiconbob]

This article is from Mike Martin.
Retired homicide detective from Minneapolis.

Keep in mind it was written 3 DAYS AFTER THE MURDERS AND ABDUCTION. 3 days!!!

A no of items he suggest, other web sluethers suggested weeeks ago... either Fitzgerald already has perp close to trap, or has done a lot in the article with little back..
Simply stunning why u wouldn’t do all this before cutting staff in half.

———————
Mike Martin / ret detective

"I've been very impressed with how they've been able to keep information close to the vest in this case," Martin said. "I guarantee you they know things they haven't released."

Martin has no direct connection to the case, but he has been following developments.

He said investigators in Barron County may begin to become more candid, especially as more and more time passes.

"The longer it goes on without Jayme being located, the more pressure there is to release other information that may be helpful in spurring the memories of people in the community," he said.

Martin said it's likely investigators are scouring the family's cell phone records and computers, trying to glean any information that could be helpful.

He believes detectives are looking for digital evidence away from the Closs home as well.

"Is there a cell phone that was in the area that's not normally in the area," he said. "There's a lot they can do in today's day and age."

Martin contends that the more investigators begin to rule things out, the more they might have to rule in the possibility that the person or persons responsible have no connection to the Closs family whatsoever.

"If you asked me on the first day this occurred, I would have said those odds are very low," Martin said of the chances a complete stranger abducted Jayme.

"Unfortunately, those odds are getting greater as they eliminate other possibilities."

 

[Trino]

If the perp/s tried to flee out off the backyard: Are there creeks, rivers, bridges? Would he have been able to flee part of the way with a canoe or the like? When was the first helicopter with heat detection system in the air, if at all?

There is a creek, but it's behind the property by quite a bit. Honestly, I cannot imagine a killer bringing a canoe + weapons, then leaving by the same route at 1:00a.m. The killer would also have to run through growth to get there.

 

[JnRyan]

Martin contends that the more investigators begin to rule things out, the more they might have to rule in the possibility that the person or persons responsible have no connection to the Closs family whatsoever.

"If you asked me on the first day this occurred, I would have said those odds are very low," Martin said of the chances a complete stranger abducted Jayme.

"Unfortunately, those odds are getting greater as they eliminate other possibilities."

Yes, I believe a lot of us on here are starting to lean in the direction of a stranger doing this.

 

[Charliegizmo49]

This was a question I had, too: what was the dog trained for.

IIRC several dogs were brought in including one to detect electronic back surveillance in the event someone was watching through their smart devices and computer.

 

[RemingtonSteele]

• "10/15/18 01:00:30 - dispatched units arrive on scene. [22]
• 10/15/18 01:03 - dispatch is advised of possible suicide attempt. Requested assistance, first responders. [22]
• 10/15/18 1:05:19 - dispatch is advised of one male down, multiple rounds spent. [22]
• 10/15/18 01:06:19 - dispatch is advised to request ERT; door has been kicked in, male who is down had answered the door. [22]"

This states that Dispatch was advised of possible suicide attempt 3 minutes after units arrives on the scene.

Dispatch could have initially thought that Jim shot Denise then shot himself .

 

[Mistermagoo]

Dispatch could have initially thought that Jim shot Denise then shot himself .

Actually, this has been discussed quite a bit since the beginning and quite a bit on this very thread. Just go back a few few days and read. There are some people on this thread who believe that this is very important and want to know what made LE state that and there are some people on this thread, myself included, that think that LE seen a body in the doorway and that is just how they reported it to dispatch. Once they actually approached the body and seen the situation, the narrative was changed. One thing to note on your post is that they had no idea that Denise was shot yet when they reported possible suicide attempt, so the "shot Denise then shot himself" theory would not make sense at that point.

 

[DutchTreat]

Yes, I believe a lot of us on here are starting to lean in the direction of a stranger doing this.

A stranger wouldn't know who lives there, what kind of resistance could be expected etc. What would be the motive?
Someone who came in shooting going for the kill for what reason? A psychopath who just loves to kill ?
A robbery? That's a gamble. Killing people when you don't even know if there's something of value in the house?

A robbery but when you stumble upon a 13 year old, you think forget about money I'm gonna abduct someone. Totally unprepared, no idea what your gonna do next. And leave no traces, no leads, no body, just a 'perfect' double homicide and abduction.
Also I think a pychopath would have killed the dog too.
The only ones dead or missing are the ones who probably knew the killer and or could talk.

 

[DutchTreat]

Now that I'm thinking about motive, I think the motive was to prevent anyone in that family who could talk (which excludes the dog), from EVER talk about what the killer wanted them to shut up about.

And I think Jayme was taken in stead of killed because the killer thought it would be a waste to kill a young innocent girl. But that's just my thoughts.

 

[rosesfromangels]

And I think Jayme was taken in stead of killed because the killer thought it would be a waste to kill a young innocent girl. But that's just my thoughts.

Respectfully snipped for focus.
I think the Perp took Jayme because either she was the primary reason for his actions ("save" her), or he took her to rape and then discard.
If forced to pick one scenario I would say it is the second. The rage and intensity of the attacks on the parents suggests a revenge motive to me.
Continued prayers for a miraculous outcome. Dear sweet girl.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[Trino]

I thought the FBI was going to do a profile - based on what I have no idea - but I have not heard of one. What could they say? Male, maybe age 25-40, maybe former military, maybe para-military group, maybe loner, maybe goes to shooting range, maybe plays lots of video games, maybe this, maybe that. The only definite seems to be male. This could include half the male population.

 

[Rubiconbob]

A stranger wouldn't know who lives there, what kind of resistance could be expected etc. What would be the motive?
Someone who came in shooting going for the kill for what reason? A psychopath who just loves to kill ?
A robbery? That's a gamble. Killing people when you don't even know if there's something of value in the house?

A robbery but when you stumble upon a 13 year old, you think forget about money I'm gonna abduct someone. Totally unprepared, no idea what your gonna do next. And leave no traces, no leads, no body, just a 'perfect' double homicide and abduction.
Also I think a pychopath would have killed the dog too.
The only ones dead or missing are the ones who probably knew the killer and or could talk.

I think they just mean stranger to Closs family ... atleast hard to connect... stranger could easily see jayme outside and google/Facebook how many live there... although I agree with u it’s insane to map out plan where u kill 2 people and grab girl with basic assumptions of 3 phones..he or they likely only beat police out door by 1/2 minutes..

I could still by robbery with James having gun pointed at him and him fighting back .. and quick shot .. Denise shot next.. perp out of bullets or has other ideas for jayme

With so few absolutels I could believe most scenarios

 

[Trino]

This article is from Mike Martin.
Retired homicide detective from Minneapolis.

Keep in mind it was written 3 DAYS AFTER THE MURDERS AND ABDUCTION. 3 days!!!

A no of items he suggest, other web sluethers suggested weeeks ago... either Fitzgerald already has perp close to trap, or has done a lot in the article with little back..
Simply stunning why u wouldn’t do all this before cutting staff in half.

———————
Mike Martin / ret detective

"I've been very impressed with how they've been able to keep information close to the vest in this case," Martin said. "I guarantee you they know things they haven't released."



Martin said it's likely investigators are scouring the family's cell phone records and computers, trying to glean any information that could be helpful.

He believes detectives are looking for digital evidence away from the Closs home as well.

"Is there a cell phone that was in the area that's not normally in the area," he said. "There's a lot they can do in today's day and age."

Respectfully snipped...

Glad I wasn't driving on Co 8 with a cell phone. Wasn't the estimate 60,000 cars per day using that road? Seems a lot of cells to investigate.

 

[DutchTreat]

Respectfully snipped for focus.
I think the Perp took Jayme because either she was the primary reason for his actions ("save" her), or he took her to rape and then discard.
If forced to pick one scenario I would say it is the second. The rage and intensity of the attacks on the parents suggests a revenge motive to me.
Continued prayers for a miraculous outcome. Dear sweet girl.

Amateur opinion and speculation

Personally I think both. First, prevent all three from talking. Saving Jayme because she's pure and innocent. But also seen as something that 'belongs' to the perp and that he owns and can use any way he chooses.

I think that if he couldn't mould her into what he wanted, she's no longer alive.

 

[DutchTreat]

I think they just mean stranger to Closs family ... atleast hard to connect... stranger could easily see jayme outside and google/Facebook how many live there... although I agree with u it’s insane to map out plan where u kill 2 people and grab girl with basic assumptions of 3 phones..he or they likely only beat police out door by 1/2 minutes..

I could still by robbery with James having gun pointed at him and him fighting back .. and quick shot .. Denise shot next.. perp out of bullets or has other ideas for jayme

With so few absolutels I could believe most scenarios

I thought you meant that kind of stranger.
But I'm still convinced they knew the perp. Or at least what this was about. So he made sure they could never point police in that direction.

 

[Rubiconbob]

Actually, this has been discussed quite a bit since the beginning and quite a bit on this very thread. Just go back a few few days and read. There are some people on this thread who believe that this is very important and want to know what made LE state that and there are some people on this thread, myself included, that think that LE seen a body in the doorway and that is just how they reported it to dispatch. Once they actually approached the body and seen the situation, the narrative was changed. One thing to note on your post is that they had no idea that Denise was shot yet when they reported possible suicide attempt, so the "shot Denise then shot himself" theory would not make sense at that point.

I think 4 suicides in last 2 years ... small police force so responding officer likely have previous incidents in head...

If first sees feet and brutal face or head wound ..

If u have no bullet holes in door and put gun @ James feet..then u might get there..

Only thing crazier then suicide scenario is
1 perp killing 2 people and taking teenage girl and vanashing into thin air..how on earth do u not leave a fingerprint/ shoe print / DNA and nobody sees anything.

Hope sheriff is simply amazing at poker..and he’s got something

 

[Irmese]

IIRC several dogs were brought in including one to detect electronic back surveillance in the event someone was watching through their smart devices and computer.

I had seen a couple of mentions about a dog tracking Jayme's scent but stopping near the driveway, inferring she was taken away in a vehicle. I haven't seen an MSM report or link on that, just posters here. I saw a few dogs mentioned when the public helped search, but no mention if they were trained at all.

 

[CuriousMaine]

Actually, this has been discussed quite a bit since the beginning and quite a bit on this very thread. Just go back a few few days and read. There are some people on this thread who believe that this is very important and want to know what made LE state that and there are some people on this thread, myself included, that think that LE seen a body in the doorway and that is just how they reported it to dispatch. Once they actually approached the body and seen the situation, the narrative was changed. One thing to note on your post is that they had no idea that Denise was shot yet when they reported possible suicide attempt, so the "shot Denise then shot himself" theory would not make sense at that point.

But, LE may have known at that time that the cell phone the "lots of yelling" hang up call came from was owned by a person named "Denise Closs".

 

[Irmese]

Actually, this has been discussed quite a bit since the beginning and quite a bit on this very thread. Just go back a few few days and read. There are some people on this thread who believe that this is very important and want to know what made LE state that and there are some people on this thread, myself included, that think that LE seen a body in the doorway and that is just how they reported it to dispatch. Once they actually approached the body and seen the situation, the narrative was changed. One thing to note on your post is that they had no idea that Denise was shot yet when they reported possible suicide attempt, so the "shot Denise then shot himself" theory would not make sense at that point.

I agree, that's what I was thinking. With the 911 call, whatever was heard on that, seeing a dead body near the door, the first assumption was suicide. The first thing they would have done is secure/clear the house to make sure perp wasn't still there and no booby traps set up for cops/first responders. I don't think the change from apparent suicide to murder is all that mysterious.

 

[Rosiebones]

My take on this is as follows: Keep It Simple Souls- KISS
James is in the living room (room to the left of the front door, facing the house). He sees headlights come up the driveway and goes to the window and looks out. He recognizes the car and person who emerges as someone he knows about town and isn't initially suspicious. As the man comes to the door and begins to kick it in, he tries to hold it shut. The man comes through the door and knocks James unconscious. Denise comes from the bedroom which is in the back left of the house and is also knocked unconscious. As he goes to get Jayme who is in the back right corner bedroom, Denise makes the phone call. Jayme who also knows or recognizes the person as someone she has see before is profoundly scared and confused by what is happening so quickly. On the way past Denise, he sees the phone call has been made. He kicks the phone aside. He shoots Denise first and then James on the way past as he is leaving with Jayme.
I think the person is someone who travels Route 8 all the time and knows where the house is even in the middle of the night with no street lights. I think that it is someone near enough that he didn't need to be on the road driving away for long, probably to the west since the police came from the east. I don't believe that Jayme survived even until next day and she is probably on property that hunters can't frequent.
As to motive;
Road rage incident on the way home involving either James or Denise.
Random pick up, in a public place by some man when they stopped for an errand on the way home (Petitt family)
The person never missed work because he didn't have to and his behavior hasn't changed because he is a psychopath and is supremely sure he has gotten away with it.