Hormel Foods, the parent company of the Jennie-O Turkey Store where Closs’s parents worked, pledged $25,000, doubling the reward the FBI offered shortly after her abduction on October 15. The FBI has yet to announce plans for its reward money, but Hormel will award their offer to Closs.
Hormel’s CEO Jim Snee released the following statement:
“On behalf of the entire Jennie-O and Hormel Foods family, we are overjoyed at the news of Jayme’s safe return. Her bravery and strength have truly inspired our team members around the world. Barron is an incredibly strong community and one that never lost hope. We celebrated with the community, and the world, that Jayme is home…
Here in Barron our Jennie-O family is dealing with a very tragic situation. While we are still mourning the loss of longtime family members Jim and Denise, we are so thankful for Jayme’s brave escape and that she is back in Barron. The company has expressed its wishes to donate the $25,000 to Jayme. Our hope is that a trust fund can be used for Jayme’s needs today and in the future.”
Closs returned home after a woman named Jeanne Nutter in Gordon, Wisconsin, about an hour north of Barron, saw the teen while walking her dog. She took her to the home of Pete and Kristin Kasinskas who called the police. The couple declined the reward, telling the Associated Press on Tuesday they couldn’t accept the money because she “got herself out.”
According to Vice, Patterson has been charged with kidnapping, armed burglary and two counts of first-degree intentional homicide. If convicted, he will face a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
