After 88 Days?

Most kidnapping stories end in heartbreak.

But this one ends in a miracle — and a girl’s unbelievable strength.

In October 2018, 13-year-old Jayme Closs was taken from her home in rural Wisconsin by a stranger who had just murdered her parents. She was held captive for 88 days.

She didn’t wait for rescue.

She rescued herself.

This is the chilling, heroic story of how a young girl endured the unthinkable… and escaped.

🏡 The Night Everything Changed

On the night of October 15, 2018, Jayme Closs was at home in Barron, Wisconsin, with her mom and dad. It was just past midnight when the family dog started barking.

Her father, James Closs, went to the door. Seconds later — he was shot dead.

A man broke into the house using a shotgun and zip ties.

Jayme and her mother, Denise, hid in the bathroom — terrified.

But the intruder found them.

He forced Denise to bind her daughter… then shot Denise too.

He grabbed Jayme and dragged her out of the house, leaving two dead bodies behind and no clues.

🚗 The Kidnapper: A Stranger With a Sick Plan

The man’s name was Jake Patterson, 21 years old.

He didn’t know Jayme. He’d never spoken to her.

He had simply seen her once — getting on a school bus — and decided:

“That’s the girl I’m going to take.”

He planned everything:

Shaved his head to leave no hair

Took off license plates

Brought gloves and a shotgun

Chose a remote cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin, over 70 miles away

He wanted a girl he could control — and made sure no one would find her.

🏚️ Life in Captivity: Silence, Fear, and a Hidden Girl

For 88 days, Jayme was:

Locked under a bed

Surrounded by heavy storage bins and weights

Told she would be killed if she made a sound

Left alone for hours or days at a time

She couldn’t scream. Couldn’t run.

She listened as her captor watched TV, had visitors, and went shopping — while she lay hidden like a ghost in a cage.

Jake told her:

“No one is looking for you. You’re mine now.”

But Jayme never gave up hope.

She remembered every detail — and she waited.

🦶 The Escape: One Brave Run to Freedom

On January 10, 2019, Jake left the house. Jayme knew he’d be gone a while.

She pushed the bins away.

Crawled out from under the bed.

And ran barefoot through the snow — to freedom.

She found Jeanne Nutter, a woman walking her dog nearby.

Jayme said:

“I’m Jayme. I need help. He killed my parents.”

Jeanne took her to a neighbor’s house.

Police were called. And in minutes, Jake Patterson was arrested — just down the road.

⚖️ Justice: The Courtroom and a Monster Unmasked

Patterson confessed everything. He had planned it for weeks.

He said Jayme didn’t do anything — she was just “the one.”

In May 2019, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

He showed no emotion.

Jayme didn’t need to face him in court — her statement was read aloud:

“He thought he could own me. But he was wrong. I’m smarter than him. I’m stronger than him. And I am getting stronger every day.”

🌟 Jayme’s Strength Inspired the World

Jayme became a national hero.

Not because she was rescued — but because she rescued herself.

Her story teaches us:

Even in darkness, hope survives

Even when no one hears you, you can still fight

And sometimes, even a young girl can outsmart a monster

She’s now living with relatives and working toward a future — one she chose for herself.

📺 Media Coverage & Legacy

Jayme’s escape stunned the world. Her story has been featured in:

CNN, BBC, and 60 Minutes

People Magazine's "Survivor of the Year"

True crime podcasts and documentaries

Her courage has helped other victims come forward.

And her name is now a symbol of survival.

🕯️ Final Thoughts: How Did She Do It?

Jayme Closs was 13 years old, scared, and alone.

She had no weapon, no phone, no adult to save her.

But she had something stronger:

Courage, memory, and the will to escape.

Her story reminds us:

No matter how deep the nightmare, the human spirit can still fight its way to daylight.