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According to authorities, a Wisconsin teenager missing since the death of her parents at home is not a runaway and thinks she's in danger. (October 16)
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13-year-old Jayme Closs has been missing since Monday when police found her parents dead at home. Sheriff of Barron County, Chris Fitzgerald, thinks she's "in danger".(Photo: Barron County Sheriff's Department)

Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said he "was struggling" to answer questions at a news conference Tuesday afternoon about the disappearance of 13-year-old Wisconsin girl Jayme Closs. gone since his parents were found dead on Monday.

"I do not have some of those answers that I want to give you, I want to give to the family," Fitzgerald said.

Closs's whereabouts were mysterious as a result of a 911 call that led police to his home in Barron, Wisconsin, where his parents were found dead. A few hours later, local authorities said that the girl was in danger and asked the public for help to find her.

Today, investigators from Barron County, the Wisconsin Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are looking for the girl described by her friends as a "sweet and shy" college student who loves dance and play sports.

What happened?

The Barron County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call around 1 am Monday, Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald announced. When MPs responded, they found Jayme Closs' parents dead in their home in Barron, Wisconsin, about 80 km northeast of Minneapolis. Jayme was gone.

What happened to Jayme?

The FBI stated that there were no suspects at present in the Barron County Sheriff's Department and that he did not know what had happened to Jayme. They conducted initial and secondary research at home and in the surrounding area, deployed drones and infrared equipment, and were in contact with Jayme's family and schoolmates.

What about the 911 call?

Authorities know which mobile phone called 911, but Fitzgerald did not disclose this information on Tuesday. According to previous police reports, we know that the call came from inside the house and that there was no interaction with the dispatcher, only "of the noise and things heard, "Fitzgerald said.

When was Jayme gone missing?

The Barron County Sheriff's Department asked the public for help finding Jayme by Monday local time, but said that, for lack of important information, an Amber alert could not be issued immediately. At 3:30 pm, an Amber National Alert was sent. She is described as 5 feet tall, 100 pounds with blonde or strawberry blonde hair.

Was she seen in Florida?

Police in Miami, Florida, reported receiving a report from someone who thought they saw Jayme in their area Monday afternoon in a black Ford Explorer with a possible Wisconsin plate in Wisconsin. The informant said that a girl looking like Jayme was in the vehicle with two well-dressed bearded men. Fitzgerald said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon that the FBI had responded to the tip and that it was "not credible".

What caused the death of his parents?

Authorities did not say what killed James Closs, 56, and Denise Closs, 46, on Tuesday night. Fitzgerald said that shots were fired inside the house. Autopsies were scheduled for Wednesday.

Did you see Jayme?

Anyone with information about his place of residence or a person who has had recent contact with Jayme is asked to call the sheriff's department at 715-537-3106. A rollover line has also been established at 855-744-3879.

Contributors: Haley BeMiller and Trent Tetzlaff of (Appleton, Wisconsin) Post Crescent. Follow Ashley May on Twitter: @AshleyMayTweets

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