A boy’s remains have been found nearly 27 years after 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling was abducted in Minnesota, bringing a decades-old investigation closer to its end.
It was "person of interest" Danny Heinrich who led authorities to what are believed to be Jacob Wetterling’s remains on a farm in Paynesville last week, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
Heinrich, scheduled to face trial next month on 25 counts of child pornography, has not been formally charged in the Wetterling case. He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, according to the newspaper.
He was a suspect in the case from the beginning.
Police say Wetterling was abducted at gunpoint by a masked man while on his way home with his brother, 10-year-old Trevor, and a friend, 11-year-old Aaron Larson, NPR reported. The boys had ridden their bikes to a local store to rent a video.
The news that the boy’s remains probably have been found is bittersweet for Jacob’s mother, Patty Wetterling, who gave a statement to KARE-TV in Minneapolis.
“All I can confirm is that Jacob has been found and our hearts are broken.”
Revisiting that night can’t be easy for a mother who has now been without her son for 27 years.
“We are in deep grief. We didn’t want Jacob’s story to end this way… Our hearts are heavy, but we are being held up by all of the people who have been a part of making Jacob’s Hope a light that will never be extinguished… Jacob, you are loved.”
There are a lot of people who are grieving with the Wetterling’s and looking for ways to support the family. Patty has a message for those people, according to NBC News.
“Everyone wants to know what they can do to help us,” she said. “Say a prayer. Light a candle. Be with friends. Play with your children. Giggle. Hold hands. Eat ice cream. Create joy. Help your neighbor. That is what will bring me comfort today.”
The Wetterling family found support from people on Twitter since the news of the remains went public:
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