Jayme Closs: FBI Offers $ 25K Reward For Missing Wisconsin Girl



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BARRON, WI – The FBI is now offering a $ 25,000 reward to the location of Jayme Closs, the 13-year-old Wisconsin girl who is considered missing and endangered after her parents were found shot and killed in their home last weekend.

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald delivered an update Wednesday afternoon at the ongoing search of Closs, who has been eluded in the early days of Oct. 15. She has been cleared by a suspect in the death of her parents, 46-year-old Denise and 56-year-old James Closs.

During a conference held in Barron County on Wednesday afternoon, Jennifer Smith pleaded for her niece's safe return.

"Not a moment goes by when we are not thinking of you and praying for you." "Your bright eyes, your bright smile, your soft little giggles," Smith said. "Your dog, Molly, is waiting for you." She's sleeping in one of your sweatshirts – and will only eat chicken.Grandpa needs new artwork on her fridge.Aunt Susie wants to go jogging in the park with you. shopping date we planned. "I even brought your favorite iced coffee with me today."


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Closs is still alive, and said they will not stop until they bring home safely.

"The hope is what we're riding on," he said Wednesday.

Massive Search Turns Up Empty

On Tuesday, 2,000 volunteers explored the five square miles around the Closs family home. They marched in 14 groups, outfitted with sticks as they scoured cornfields, prairie lands, backyards, parks and wooded areas for anything that could help: a cell phone, a piece of clothing or even the gun that was used in the shooting.

After seven hours, investigators said that no new evidence had been dug up by volunteers.

"It's unbelievable, we're a little horrific," Ruth Madison's volunteer told the local CBS affliate, WCCO.

Authorities Searching For Vehicles of Interest

Dodge Challenger and a black Ford Gold Acura MDX sport utility vehicle, Fitzgerald said Monday. The vehicles were seen in the Barron vicinity on Oct. 8 and Oct. 22, and anyone who is called to call the service at (855) 744-3879.

Fitzgerald did not elaborate much on the subject of Closs' disappearance or the death of her parents, saying only that they're "vehicles of interest."

Investigators have more than 1.550 tips about the whereabouts of Closs, but none of those tips fruit. About 1,250 of those tips had been cleared as of Wednesday afternoon.

Local authorities have been working in partnership with the FBI and Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. Investigators have released new photos of Closs, deployed K9 officers, used thermal sensors and conducted a massive foot and door-to-door search.

Closs, who is believed to have been kidnapped at gunpoint.

The FBI has added their first kidnappings. The office also said it has posted information about digital billboards across the nation and asked anyone with information about it to contact the FBI.

Besides the new tip line – (855) 744-3879 – the Barron County Sheriff's Department also has an email address, [email protected], where photos or videos related to possible sightings can be submitted.

In an Amber Alert, Jayme has 5 feet tall and weighing about 100 pounds. She has green eyes and golden blonde strawberry blond hair.

911 Call Offers Clues

Information by local authorities late last week shed light on the tragic moments after the teen's parents were killed and her unexplained disappearance. The 911 call made to local authorities the morning of the day of the camera, and the door to their home was kicked in, investigators said.

During the 911 call, dispatchers reported hearing "a lot of yelling" and multiple gunshots. Authorities tried calling the cell phone back, but did not get an answer. They tried to call the home's land line, only to learn that it had been disconnected.

The transcript 's initial entries, which were prompted for an apparent suicide attempt, were soon changed to a homicide call. Authorities have not indicated who made the call.

A transcript of that 911 call is available here.

Neighbors Wake To Gunshots

Neighbors Tom and Joan Smrekar woke up early in the morning of Oct. 15 to the sound of two gunshots, only seconds apart at 12:31 a.m They were interviewed by the FBI later that day.

"They were fine neighbors," Tom Smrekar told the Associated Press. "We really do not know them – our contact has been minimal."

Jayme's grandfather, 72-year-old Robert Naiberg told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that it's not that easy to see when Jayme and her mother appeared at a gathering on Oct. 14 while Jayme's was at work.

The Melissa Salmonson told CBS News.

"Everyone is feeling very helpless right now," said Salmonson, "It's a very safe place to be."

"It makes you hug your kids." It makes you nervous, Bethany Stevens told the network. "It's just unsettling."

Authorities released additional photos of Closs

Authorities say 13-year-old Jayme Closs is dead and endangered after they found her mother and father both dead early Monday morning. An Amber Alert has been issued for her. (Submitted Photo)

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Submitted Photos

Lead photo via AP Photo / Jeff Baenen

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