Jump directly to the content
DASH FOR FREEDOM

Jayme Closs, 13, bravely escaped ‘murder-kidnapper’ Jake Patterson ‘after he left her to visit his MUM’

Jake Patterson, 21, snatched Jayme, 13, before trapping her under his bed - which he blocked with weighted bins so she could not escape, prosecutors in Wisconsin say

KIDNAPPED teen Jayme Closs managed to escape her alleged abductor's cabin lair after he left her to visit his mum, according to reports.

Jake Patterson, 21, snatched Jayme, 13, before trapping her under his bed - which he blocked with weighted bins so she could not escape, prosecutors in Wisconsin say.

 Patterson allegedly told authorities that he chose to kidnap Jayme at random after seeing her getting on a school bus
16
Patterson allegedly told authorities that he chose to kidnap Jayme at random after seeing her getting on a school busCredit: AFP or licensors
 An aerial shot of Patterson's eerie forest cabin where he allegedly held
16
An aerial shot of Patterson's eerie forest cabin where he allegedly heldCredit: The Mega Agency

But Jayme - whose parents were shot dead in a terrifying raid at her home 90 miles away in Barron three months earlier - managed to muster the energy to force her way out, according to .

After bravely escaping from under Patterson's twin bed at his eerie forest dwelling in Gordon, panicked Jayme put the wrong shoes on each of her feet before desperately dashing to freedom, the site claims.

A neighbour of Patterson's mum Deborah said: "She's distraught. They're good people. This is just shocking."

Another added: "I would see him [Jake] across the street but not to talk to him. They're good people. But he's a freak."

DEAD BEHIND THE EYES

Deborah lives with her second husband Kevin in the small town of Haugen - just 20 minutes drive from Jayme's home in Barron.

An ex of Jake's sister Katie described the alleged murderer as a loner.

He said: "Nobody would really engage with Jake.

"I never saw him out playing with their dog or taking part in any sporting activity or even with friends.

"There was something very flat and emotionless about him.

"There was nothing behind his eyes. I remember feeling that even back then."

'QUIET BOY'

Patterson's father Patrick appeared at court on Monday - where the 21-year-old appeared for the first time since his arrest last Thursday.

Today Patterson's described him as "quiet and shy", telling ABC News a "nice boy, polite" who often "backed off from crowds."

Moyer said that "computer games were more of a priority than social interaction" for Patterson, adding that the family are "devastated".

It was revealed on Tuesday that Patterson had been moved from Barron County Jail to adjoining Polk County jail.

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald confirmed that one of Jayme's relatives works at the Barron County facility.

But he called the transfer an "administrative decision" and said no one threatened Patterson.

SNATCHED AT RANDOM

Court documents filed Monday revealed Patterson made two aborted trips to Jayme's home before finally carrying out an attack in which he shot dead her parents in cold blood, according to prosecutors.

He had allegedly told detectives that he decided on kidnapping Jayme at random when he saw her boarding a school bus.

Patterson was charged with kidnapping Jayme and killing her parents on October 15.

He was also charged with armed robbery as he made his first court appearance on Monday.

Shocking photos obtained by The Sun show inside the grim forest cabin where Patterson is alleged to have held the teen for as long as 88 days.

Police have said the two did not know each other.

Patterson sat expressionless during the court appearance on Monday via video link from the county jail.

He spoke only to acknowledge that his name and address were correct and that he agreed to waive a speedy preliminary hearing.

The judge set bail at $5 million (£3.9m).

JAYME'S 'TERRIFYING ORDEAL' REVEALED

Patterson allegedly went to the home twice intending to kidnap Jayme - but broke off one attempt because too many cars were in the driveway.

He called off another because the house was too active, the complaint said.

Jayme told police that on the night she was abducted she was asleep in her room when the family dog started barking.

She woke her parents as a car came up the driveway.

Jayme and her mum Denise hid in the bathroom, clutching one another in the bathtub with the shower curtain pulled shut.

Her dad James went to the front door and terrified Jayme heard a gunshot and knew her father had just been killed, according to the complaint.

Denise Closs started to call 911 but Patterson broke down the bathroom door, it adds.

Jayme said he was dressed in black wearing a face mask and gloves and carrying a shotgun.

Patterson told her mother to hang up and ordered her to tape Jayme's mouth shut.

He then wrapped tape around Jayme's hands and wrists, dragged her out of the bath and shot her mum in the head, authorities say.

Patterson dragged Jayme outside, nearly slipping in blood pooled on the floor.

Jayme was then thrown in the trunk of his car and drove off - as police squad cars rushed to Jayme's family home.

TRAPPED IN HELL CABIN

Patterson took her to a cabin that he said was his, ordered her into a bedroom and told her to take off her clothes and get dressed in his sister's pajamas.

He then threw her clothes into a fireplace in the cabin's basement, the file adds.

Jayme was then forced to spend hours trapped under a bed when he went out or had friends over to the cabin - and was warned that "bad things could happen to her" otherwise.

Patterson, who has no criminal history in Wisconsin, was described by people who knew him as a quiet and good student who participated in quiz bowl in high school.

His defense attorneys, Charles Glynn and Richard Jones, said they believe Patterson can get a fair trial - but they are not sure where.

Jones said: "It's been an emotional time for this community and a difficult time for this community.

"We don't take that lightly. But we have a job to do in protecting our client."

MIRACLE FIND

Dishevelled Jayme was found on Thursday wondering the streets near the town of Gordon - an hour north of Barron - by a woman walking her dog.

Images of the cabin showed a shabby living room with a sofa, fridge, an old TV and an unfinished ceiling.

Exterior pics show a lean-to loaded with firewood, a three-car garage and an empty box of adult female nappies in a bin.

A sign over the cabin's front door reads: "Patterson's Retreat."

Authorities have not said whether Jayme was sexually assaulted and Patterson has not been charged with sex offences.

Prosecutors said they expect to release more information on the case before Patterson's next hearing on February 6.

Additional charges could be brought in the county where Jayme was held.

 Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, appeared in court via video link on Monday where his bail was set at $5million
16
Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, appeared in court via video link on Monday where his bail was set at $5millionCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Jayme's parents, James, 56, and Denise Closs, 46, were murdered in October
16
Jayme's parents, James, 56, and Denise Closs, 46, were murdered in October
 The teen with her aunt Jennifer Smith
16
The teen with her aunt Jennifer SmithCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The grimy basement cell is believed to be beneath alleged kidnapper Jack Patterson's forest cabin
16
The grimy basement cell is believed to be beneath alleged kidnapper Jack Patterson's forest cabinCredit: The Mega Agency
 The filthy den was filled with soft toys, kid's backpacks and dirty beddings
16
The filthy den was filled with soft toys, kid's backpacks and dirty beddingsCredit: The Mega Agency
 Patterson's cabin had broken-down old furniture and dirty plates were piled up in the kitchen
16
Patterson's cabin had broken-down old furniture and dirty plates were piled up in the kitchenCredit: The Mega Agency
 Investigators are examining the area to establish the exact spot were Jayme may have been kept captive
16
Investigators are examining the area to establish the exact spot were Jayme may have been kept captiveCredit: The Mega Agency
 Jake Patterson's tumbledown home is littered with old cars, rusty bikes and an assortment of junk
16
Jake Patterson's tumbledown home is littered with old cars, rusty bikes and an assortment of junkCredit: The Mega Agency
 The cabin is filled with an assortment of tatty old furniture, from rocking chairs to fans and years-old televisions and stereos
16
The cabin is filled with an assortment of tatty old furniture, from rocking chairs to fans and years-old televisions and stereosCredit: The Mega Agency
 A box of adult's nappies was found beside a garage
16
A box of adult's nappies was found beside a garageCredit: The Mega Agency
 The 13-year-old was held in the cabin for 88 days after her parents were murdered
16
The 13-year-old was held in the cabin for 88 days after her parents were murderedCredit: The Mega Agency
 Cans of alcoholic drinks were found around the property
16
Cans of alcoholic drinks were found around the propertyCredit: The Mega Agency
 More booze was found in the snow-covered back yard
16
More booze was found in the snow-covered back yardCredit: The Mega Agency
 Patterson's retreat where investigators are zoning in
16
Patterson's retreat where investigators are zoning inCredit: The Mega Agency
Fresh hope for Maddie McCann’s parents as they reveal Jayme Closs case has boosted confidence they’ll find missing daughter


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.