Jayme Closs, Jake Patterson.
Jayme Closs says she feels ‘stronger everyday’ one year after she was abducted by Jake Patterson. (Picture: ABC News/AP)

A 13-year-old who was abducted by a kidnapper moments after he brutally murdered her parents said she is feeling ‘stronger every day’ one year later.

Jayme Closs was held captive for 88 days by 21-year-old Jake Patterson, who barged into Closs’s home with a shotgun and killed her parents, James and Denise Closs, on October 15, 2018 in Gordon, Wisconsin.

Patterson kept the teen in his nearby cabin, often forcing her to hide under a bed weighted down by totes. Closs eventually managed to escape on January 10 this year while Patterson was out, and found a dog walker who took her to a neighbor’s house to call police before the killer returned.

One year after her harrowing ordeal, Closs told ABC News: ‘I really want to thank everyone for all the kindness and concern that people all over the country have shown me.’

‘I am very happy to be home and getting back to the activities that I enjoy. I love hanging out with all of my friends, and I feel stronger every day!’

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Jake Patterson, Jayme Closs, Denise Patterson, James Patterson, Gordon, Wisconsin, murder, kidnapping
Jayme Closs was held at this cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin for 88 days before she managed to escape (Picture: AP)
The sentencing of Jayme Closs kidnapper Jake Patterson on May 24, 2019.
The sentencing of Jayme Closs was often forced under a bed in Patterson’s cabin (Picture: KMIZ)

Patterson was sentenced to life in jail in May after he pleaded guilty to killing James and Denise Closs, as well as kidnapping Jayme.

He later claimed that he ‘loved’ Jayme and kidnapped her after he watched her boarding a school bus. As he was led out of the courtroom after his sentencing, he said, ‘Bye, Jayme.’

The teen’s aunt, Jen Smith, and their family attorney, Chris Gramstrup said in a statement: ‘Jayme continues to work very hard on her emotional well-being.

‘She’s moving forward and courageously reclaiming her life.’

‘She has also been able to spend a good deal of time with her friends, just hanging out and being a typical teenager.

‘Jayme’s incredible spirit and strength continue to inspire everyone around her.’

On Monday, the Barron County Sherrif’s Office thanked those who searched tirelessly for Jayme and helped turn the one year anniversary of a ‘bad day’ into something good.