Jayme Closs Abductor Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping Her & Killing Both Her Parents

BARRON, WI — Jake Thomas Patterson, the man who kidnapped 13-year-old Jayme Closs after brutally killing her parents, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of intentional homicide and kidnapping.

The 21-year-old entered his plea in a Wisconsin courtroom on Wednesday. Patterson fatally shot Jayme’s parents, Denise Closs, 46; and James Closs, 56; on October 15 before abducting the teen.

According to a criminal complaint, Patterson told detectives that he became fixated on Jayme after he saw her getting onto a school bus. Patterson then broke into the family home and shot Jayme’s father at the front door — and then made his way to the bathroom, where he found the teen and her mother hiding.

He pulled them apart and then shot Denise before binding Jayme with tape and forcing her into the trunk of his vehicle. Patterson then held Jayme hostage for 88 days at a cabin outside of Gordon, Wisconsin, before she was able to escape on January 10. During her time with Patterson, according to the complaint, Jayme was deprived of food, water, and access to the bathroom.

The two intentional homicide charges carry a life sentence, according to People. For the kidnapping charges, Patterson faces a maximum sentence of 40 years. In return for his pleas to three charges in Barron County, Patterson will not be charged with crimes in Douglas County. He is due to be sentenced on May 24.

Patterson’s attorney Richard Jones said in court that his client has “always been consistent in his statements and his beliefs that this is exactly what he wants to do” and added that Patterson was making the plea deal voluntarily.

Read more: People