Former Kidnapped Teen Elizabeth Smart Joins Appeal For Missing Wisconsin Student Jayme Closs
Former kidnapped teen Elizabeth Smart — who was taken from her home as a teenager in 2002 — is now helping search for Jayme Closs. The 30-year-old took to Instagram on Saturday, Oct. 20, to post a police Amber Alert for the missing Wisconsin student.
“Please repost and call the police if you have any information! #AmberAlert #Missingchild,” she wrote.
It’s now been eight days since Jayme went missing following her parents’ tragic murders, but both authorities — and thousands of volunteers — haven’t given up hope. Most recently, Barron County, WI, Sheriff, Chris Fitzgerald, revealed on Facebook that investigators are searching for two missing vehicles that may be connected to the teen’s disappearance.
“These are three images of the two vehicles of interest that we determined were in the area of the Closs home at the time of the incident regarding the disappearance of missing and endangered 13-year-old Jayme Closs,” the post read. “Again, these are ONLY vehicles of interest.”
Smart was just 14 years old when she was kidnapped from her room in Utah. Though she faced horrendous conditions and was repeatedly sexually abused by her attackers, nine months after she was first taken, she was miraculously found and freed.
Since her kidnapping, she has worked as an advocate to prevent this from happening to others. Just last month, one of her kidnappers, Wanda Barzee, was freed after spending 15 years behind bars.
Upon her release, Smart released a statement to the public: “Without doubt the past few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotion, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words, support, and concern. It has meant so much to me,” she wrote on Instagram on Sept. 19. “May we all remain vigilant in watching over our families, friends, and community from anyone who would seek to hurt or take advantage. I truly believe life is meant to be happy and beautiful, and no matter what happens that will remain my goal for me and for my family.”
If anyone sees or has seen either of the vehicles above over the past two weeks, the Barron County Sheriff’s Department asks they call their tip line at 1-855-744-3879 with the time they observed it, the location, and plate number. Our thoughts go out to the Closs’ family and friends during this terrible time.
Have a tip? Send it to us! Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com.
