BARRON, Wis. - More than a week into the search for missing 13-year-old Jayme Closs, the Barron County Sheriff's Department and 2,000 volunteers went on a citywide search for clues.
On Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff's department said that it was assessing the items found by the search groups.
"None of the items collected, thus far, appear to be connected to the disappearance," they said in a release.
The department has received more than 1,400 tips and says it has closed 1,100 so far. The Barron County Sheriff's Department will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24, to update the public.Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald had asked for searchers to help conduct an expanded search for evidence that could be related to her disappearance.
Volunteers were organized into small groups with a police officer looking for any clues. Police told people to look for guns, cell phones, clothes, or any other evidence that could be related to the case.
Some of Tuesday's volunteers traveled long distances to help the community of Barron. David Burg drove 50 miles from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to assist with the search effort.
The disappearance of Jayme Closs has impacted Burg on a deeply personal level.
"My daughter is 14; (Jayme) is 13," Burg said. "So it hits close to home."
Traveling with Groupo 11, Burg walked alongside about 70 other volunteers in a residential area of Barron. Some of the searchers found seemingly mundane items, such as cans, clothing items and a sweatshirt, but investigators flagged some of the items anyway as a precaution.
Sheriff Fitzgerald has urged the public to come forward with any information or tips about the case, even if they are unsure whether it's related to the disappearance or homicide of Denise and James Closs.
Waiting and hoping
In Barron, Wisconsin, the community is praying for Jayme to come home safely. And after the week they have been through, many took comfort in gathering for Sunday morning church service.
"Everybody has been kind of gloomy this past week," said Mary Jean Smith.
At St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Barron, the priest lit an Easter candle during the homily to signify resurrection.
"We prayed for the parents who are deceased that they are in the hands of God," Smith said. "And for the little girl, that she comes home safe."
Jayme Closs has been missing since Monday October 15, after 911 records show someone kicked down the front door, and shot both her parents - James and Denise Closs. No major clues in Jayme's disappearance have been shared publicly.
"It's been very hard, because with a death, there's finality," said Kim Frandsen of Barron. "But there is no finality right now. Everybody's just wondering, what ifs and where could she be and how do we move forward?"
With the updates from the sheriff's department coming less frequently, some residents are relying on faith to keep hope.
"I never give up hope. But with each passing day, it seems, you know, no new clues. No new leads. So it's hard to have that hope. But we pray," said Smith.