Jake Patterson, the Wisconsin man who kidnapped 13-year-old Jayme Closs and murdered her parents, was described as “the embodiment of evil” as a judge condemned him to spend the rest of his days in prison, reports the USA Today Network. Patterson, who turns 22 on June 17, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for abducting Jayme Closs and gunning down James and Denise Closs. He pled guilty to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping. “There is no doubt in my mind that you are one of the most dangerous men to ever walk on this planet,” said Barron County Circuit Judge James Babler.
Patterson didn’t know the Closs family, nor did he have a criminal record. On Oct. 15, he fatally shot James, 56, and Denise, 46 He dragged Jayme to his car and drove her to the rural town of Gordon, where he held her for 88 days. On Friday, Jayme’s relatives spoke through tears as they told Babler of the fear and heartache Patterson caused them. For nearly three months, they barely slept. Jayme was not in the courtroom Friday, but an attorney read her statement, which said in part that her parents “did all they could to make me happy and protect me. He took them away from me forever.” Patterson said in court, “I would do absolutely anything to bring them back … I’m just so sorry.”