NewsNational News

Actions

Jake Patterson pleads guilty to kidnapping Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs, murdering her parents

Posted
and last updated

BARRON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs and killing her parents.

21-year-old Jake Patterson pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping. A count of armed burglary was dropped. The intentional homicide counts carry a sentence of life in prison.

Patterson admitted to kidnapping Jayme after killing her parents, James and Denise Closs, at the family's home on Oct. 15. Patterson held her at a remote cabin for 88 days before she escaped in January.

A criminal complaint says Patterson told authorities he decided to "take" Jayme after he saw her getting on a school bus near her home.

Patterson wrote in a letter to Minneapolis' KARE-TV this month that he intended to plead guilty.