Wetterlings Release Media Statement Following News on Jacob

ST. JOSEPH -- Days after the tragic news broke that authorities found Jacob Wetterling's body, his mother Patty Wetterling, released a statement to the media this (Monday) morning in reaction to the news.

The statement was released through the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center via Patty stating...

"The Wetterlings are deeply grieving and are pulling our family together. We will be eager to talk to media soon as we are able. Everyone wants to know what they can do to help us. Say a prayer, light a candle, be with friends, play with your children, giggle, hold hands, eat ice cream, create joy and help your neighbor. That is what will bring me comfort today."

Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner, says the Ramsey County Medical Examiner and a forensic odontologist identified the remains as Wetterling Saturday. Additional DNA testing will be performed by the BCA.

Sanner says the Stearns County Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office are in the “process of reviewing and evaluating new evidence” in the Wetterling case.

Daniel Heinrich has been held for unrelated child pornography charges but was named a person of interest last October in regards to Jacob’s disappearance in St. Joseph back in 1989.   KSTP says he recently agreed to cooperate and gave authorities information on where to find the body. Searchers have reportedly been at an undisclosed site late last week.

An investigation into the disappearance of Jacob Wetterling led to the arrest of Heinrich in Annandale last year. The arrest wasn’t related to the Wetterling case, but search warrants at Heinrich’s home turned up 19 binders full of photos of naked young boys and video tapes.

A search warrant was used at Heinrich’s home at 55 Myrtle Avenue South to seek evidence related to the January 13, 1989, kidnapping and sexual assault of the Cold Spring boy and the abduction of Jacob.

Additional information is expected to be provided early next week.