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Jayme Closs' unbelievable escape and homecoming

January 13, 2019 / 07:27

This episode covers the disappearance and miraculous return of Jamie Claus, her aunt Jennifer Smith, and the community's unwavering hope during the ordeal.

On January 9th, Jamie's aunt Jennifer marked the 87th day since Jamie went missing, expressing her hope for Jamie's safe return. Diane Trembley, the Barron School District superintendent, emphasized that hope kept the community going.

On the 88th day, a woman named Jeannie Nutter found Jamie in Gordon, Wisconsin, where Jamie had escaped from captivity. Jeannie recounted Jamie's disheveled appearance and her confusion about her location.

Peter and Kristen Kasinsky, who helped Jamie, described the shock of seeing her at their door and immediately calling 911. Jamie shared details about her captivity, highlighting the fear she experienced.

After receiving confirmation of Jamie's safety, Jennifer Smith expressed her relief and joy. The community celebrated Jamie's return, and Jennifer vowed to support Jamie as she navigates her new life without her parents.

TLDR

Jamie Claus is found alive after 88 days missing, reuniting with her aunt and community in a story of hope and resilience.

Episode

7:27
00:00:03
[Music] this past Wednesday January 9th Jamie losses aunt Jennifer Smith marked the 87th day since her niece went
00:00:20
missing on social media just like she had done almost daily since that terrible day in October my heart was
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shattered after all in her heart and we just wanted to find her and we I just had hope she was alive out there
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somewhere can we get her home I know she was close and I never gave up that hope
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waiting at home for Jamie when she did come home would be her beloved dog Molly and unopened Christmas presents I said
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these presents are gonna sit right here and wait for Jamie to come home in her stocking and I have a Molly Doe
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downstairs this is your office yeah this is the hub Diane Trembley the Barents school district superintendent says it's
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that unrelenting hope that kept her Jaime's classmates and the rest of the community going in the face of tragedy
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was there ever a moment you gave up hope never honestly hope was always on our side Barron County Sheriff Chris
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Fitzgerald I said I would never give up hope but it crossed my mind but then things like the Christmas tree and
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Facebook posts and kids at that middle school or she went singing songs and having hope
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and makin signs and thanking us for their work so you can't give up when a sixth grader says don't give up you just
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can't give up on Thursday the 88th day of Jamie's disappearance a woman walking her dog here in Gordon Wisconsin had
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unwittingly proved that all that optimism had not been unfounded it was just amazing that I was there at the
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time she would needed some money around 4:30 p.m. as Jeannie nutter and her dog Henry reached the end of her driveway
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a young girl described as thin and disheveled approached her and told her she was Jaime Claus all I could say to
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myself is be calm keep her calm she just said I'm lost I don't know where I am she said I don't know where I'm a couple
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of times I explained you're in Gordon Wisconsin I said Jamie you're really only an hour
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and a half herself from home if that gives you some perspective because she had no idea where she was there were
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indications she had been held captive in a nearby cabin and had somehow managed to escape Jeannie's old instincts as a
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former social worker kicked into high gear I knew she needed help and I knew I need
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to get her to a safe place and that's just what I did Peter and Kristen kasinsky were home with their children
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when someone came to the door then I heard the neighbor knocking on her door and I she opened the door and a dog came
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in and then right after the dog came and she came in with Jamie and said this is
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Jamie class call nine on one I mean it just didn't blow my mind Peter and Kristen say they knew immediately that
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it was really her immediately it was no doubt in my mind it was 100% we've been seeing her for so long
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billboards commercials all this stuff and it was like I was seeing a ghost in front of me so it was is a huge shock I
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knew it was real so I just went to the phone to grab the phone and I was pleading with the person
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on that line saying this is not fake this is real this is real she is here while they waited for the police to
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arrive Jamie shared some details of her ordeal she told us that she was very well
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hidden she said that that other people would come to the house but she would have to be hidden I don't know how he
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kept her so under wraps for so long it just kills me that she was four doors down and we didn't know not that we
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would have ever known or could have ever known but it just kills me that she was
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that close but now that she was safe in their home the couple tried to offer Jamie whatever comfort they could we
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offered her water and something to eat she said no and then she was sitting on her couch and she looked she looked
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frozen and I said are you cold she said no I said well I'm gonna put this blanket on you if you don't want it you
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can take it off but she stayed there underneath that until the police right Jaime's aunt Jennifer Smith got a call
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from a reporter that she had heard Jaime had been found she said John I think it's true
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Jennifer was hesitant to believe it because a similar rumor had circulated online that had not been true and I said
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oh I just had a fault twenty minutes ago I can't do another one please and then 20 minutes later the sheriff and
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detector showed up at my house and they were both smiling so I knew it had to have been something good that was a
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pretty great hog when you got to tell her she's coming home Diann Trembley says it was the news they
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had all been praying for what a glorious day this will certainly never be forgotten it has been 88 days of hope
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for her safe return 88 days of prayers for Jamie it's unbelievable it is miraculous Trembley
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especially marvels at the bravery of this young girl who had often been described as shy and timid it's hard to
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speak to because unless you've actually been in her place he's courageous even a
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big enough word extraordinary courageous brave we want to thank Jeanie for being
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so courageous and for achieving an opportunity to find her way back to us what an extraordinary young lady after
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waiting hours to reunite with her niece oh it's driving me crazy I mean I just I
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just got to see her I just got to give her that hug Jennifer Smith was at long last reunited with Jamie yesterday
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afternoon Jennifer was finally able to post happy news on Facebook everybody's just so happy and excited that she's
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been found the whole community has come together she's loved by everybody and by
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complete strangers Jamie Claus has come home to barren but it will be a different life Jamie's
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parents are gone and Jennifer will now have to help raise her sister's child I will be a stronger person and I will
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help do you mean guide her and get her through everything I will do this also for my sister because she will build a
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rest in peace and I know that's what she would run there are challenges ahead but the one thing that almost seems
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certain is that Jamie Claus will have all the support and love she needs my hope for Jamie has that she
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will recover and we'll get through this together and we will grieve together for
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her mom and dad we will get her through this she's a survivor yes she's our little survivor
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[Music]

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 90
    Most emotional
  • 88
    Most heartwarming
  • 85
    Most dramatic
  • 85
    Most satisfying

Episode Highlights

  • The Day Jamie Was Found
    After 88 days of hope, Jamie Claus was discovered safe by a woman walking her dog.
    “It was just amazing that I was there at the time she needed help.”
    @ 01m 50s
    January 13, 2019
  • Community's Unyielding Hope
    The community rallied together, never losing hope during Jamie's disappearance.
    “It was the news they had all been praying for.”
    @ 05m 12s
    January 13, 2019
  • Aunt's Emotional Reunion
    Jennifer Smith finally reunites with her niece Jamie after a long wait.
    “I just got to see her, I just got to give her that hug.”
    @ 06m 05s
    January 13, 2019

Episode Quotes

  • Hope was always on our side.
    Jayme Closs' unbelievable escape and homecoming
  • What an extraordinary young lady!
    Jayme Closs' unbelievable escape and homecoming
  • She's a survivor.
    Jayme Closs' unbelievable escape and homecoming

Key Moments

  • Hope and Despair00:26
  • Unexpected Discovery01:50
  • Community Support05:12
  • Bravery and Strength05:55
  • Emotional Reunion06:05

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown