Amber Alert issued: Deputies search for Wisconsin girl whose parents are dead



BARRON, Wis. — An Amber Alert has been issued in Wisconsin. Officials say Jayme Closs, 13, could be in danger after her parents were found dead in a home in Barron County on Monday morning, Oct. 15.

Deputies went to the home in Barron after dispatchers received a 911 call from an unknown person at around 1 a.m. Monday, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said. He said they found the bodies of a man and woman -- 56-year-old James Closs and 46-year-old Denise Closs. He also said there had been gunshots, but he stopped short of saying that's how the adults died.

"Gunshots are involved. I'm not ready to rule how they died at this time. The end of the day, I want a 13-year-old girl here safe and sound. That's our goal," said Fitzgerald.



Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald



Investigators don't have any leads or suspects, but they have enlisted the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI, which has agents who specialize in missing children cases, the sheriff said.

Deputies searched the area around the family's home with drones and infrared equipment, but they didn't find any clues as to her whereabouts. Fitzgerald said investigators are frustrated they haven't developed any leads and asked for the public's help with any information about what could have happened to the girl.

"I've been doing this for over 20 years and it's a crime scene I've seen before, but it's one you rarely see," said Fitzgerald.





At first, an Amber Alert wasn't issued.

"We don't have a suspect or a vehicle, and those are two requirements are needed for an Amber Alert," said Fitzgerald.

That changed on Monday afternoon when the Amber Alert was issued.

Officers also were at Jayme Closs' middle school talking with her friends and acquaintances, hoping to develop some leads, officials said.

"We've searched the school. We met with her friends. We're working very closely with the Barron Riverview Middle School where she attends school." said Fitzgerald.

Jayme Closs is described as 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and 100 pounds (45 kilograms), with strawberry-blond hair and green eyes.

Barron is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Minneapolis.