'He should stay locked up forever:' Jake Patterson sentenced to life in prison without parole

BARRON, Wis. -- Jake Patterson was sentenced on Friday, May 24 to life in prison without the chance for parole. This, for kidnapping Jayme Closs and killing both of her parents.

Patterson entered a guilty plea in March to kidnapping 13-year-old Closs from her home and murdering her parents, James and Denise, in October 2018.

The judge hearing the case had this to say prior to sentencing, "You are an extreme danger to the public in general. There is no doubt in my mind that you are one of the most dangerous men to walk on this planet."

WARNING: Some of the content in the sentencing hearing below is not suitable for all viewers 

Closs family statements

Several family members of Jayme Closs spoke to the judge at Patterson's sentencing. Their thoughts were emotional -- and poignant.

"I don't want myself, Jayme most of all, nor my family to fear another day. I don't want another family to go through the nightmare my family has endured," said Sue Allard, Denise's sister.

"One of the most painful things for me to think about is that the last moments of my aunt's life were the worst and scariest moments of her life. No one should leave this Earth in such a horrible way," said Lindsey Smith, niece of James and Denise.

"None of us are going to win today. None of us are going to get our family members back. My mother isn't going to get her Sunday phone call from her son to talk about the Packers; talk about the things we like to talk about," said Kelly Engelhardt, James' sister.

"Jim was as tough as they came. If he could've gotten his hands on him, it would've been different. We miss him and love him, and think about his every day," said Jeff Closs, James' brother.

Statement of Jayme Closs

Attorney Chris Gramstrup read the following statement on behalf of Jayme Closs at the sentencing hearing:

Jake Patterson spoke very briefly -- and offered the following words:

Closs stunned the world in January, when she escaped from the place Patterson kept her captive for 88 days. Prosecutors say she was kept under a bed surrounded with heavy items to keep her from getting away. Sometimes she was kept there for hours, with no food, water or bathroom breaks. Patterson confessed he chose Closs at random when he saw her boarding her school bus.

Patterson will begin his prison sentence at the Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun.