■ Police, family have no clues about why the abductor of a Wisconsin girl picked her.

Police, family have no clues about why Closs was abducted

MADISON, Wis. — The grandfather of a northwestern Wisconsin girl who authorities say was abducted during a home invasion that left her parents dead said Saturday that the family has no connection to the suspect and doesn’t understand why he targeted her, deepening a mystery that has captivated the state for months.

Someone blasted open the door of James and Denise Closs’ home near Barron with a shotgun in October, gunned the couple down and made off with their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme Closs.

The girl had been missing for nearly three months when she approached a stranger Thursday near the small, isolated north woods town of Gordon and pleaded for help. Officers arrested 21-year-old Jake Thomas Patterson minutes later based on Closs’ description of his vehicle. He was jailed on suspicion of kidnapping and homicide.

Investigators have said Patterson’s goal was to kidnap Closs, but he appears to have no connection to the family. Closs’ grandfather, Robert Naiberg, said during a telephone interview Saturday that the only thing the family knows for sure is that no one knew Patterson. He said she told FBI agents she didn’t know him at all.

“He didn’t know Jayme. He didn’t know Denise or Jim,” Naiberg said. Closs “don’t know him from Adam. (But) he knew what he was doing. We don’t know if he was stalking her or what. Did he see her somewhere?”

Patterson attorneys Charles Glynn and Richard Jones said in a statement they consider the situation “very tragic” and that they are relying on the court system to treat their client fairly. Charges are expected against Patterson on Monday, when he is expected to make his initial appearance in court.

The news that Closs was safe set off joy and relief in her hometown of Barron, population 3,300 and about 60 miles from where she was found. The discovery ended an all-out search that gripped the state, with many people fearing the worst the longer she was missing.

Closs’ aunt, Jennifer Smith, posted Saturday on Facebook that the girl was doing well.

“Jayme had a pretty good night sleep it was great to know she was next to me all night what a great feeling to have her home,” the post said. “As a family we will get through all of the healing process Jayme has. It will be a long road but we are family strong and we love this little girl so much!!”

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said investigators are trying to figure out what happened to Closs during her captivity and why she was seized. He said there is no evidence Patterson knew the girl or her family or had been in contact with her on social media.

Jake Thomas Patterson