GREEN BAY, WI -- There are new developments in the case of Jacob Wetterling, who was kidnapped near his home in Stearns Co., MN 27 years ago.
It's a story the nation has been following.
Sources confirm to NBC's KARE11 in Minneapolis that DNA. evidence, recently extracted from the clothing of a sexual assault victim months before Wetterling's abduction, had been traced back to Danny Heinrich.
That led to a search warrant of Heinrich's Annandale home in July, and according to KARE11's sources, Jacob's remains, buried on a farm near Paynesville. Sources say Heinrich led investigators to that spot last week.
Heinrich was named by investigators as a person of interest in the Wetterling abduction back in 1989. Investigators interviewed Heinrich at least 4 times, but he always denied knowing anything about it.
Across the country tonight, people are leaving their front porch lights on for Jacob, after his remains were discovered.
Those with missing loved ones right here in Northeast Wisconsin share the Wetterling's sadness as they search for their own closure.
Jacob Wetterling's family has always held on to hope their son was still alive. Now, closure comes at a painful cost.
"It's so hard to even understand, and grasp, because it's what you want so much," explains Marsha Loritz, "but you know that, if it comes... it's not easy."
Tonight, the news weighs especially heavily on Loritz's heart. Loritz's mother, Victoria Prokopovitz, went missing more than three years ago from her Pittsfield home in Brown County.
"No one wants anyone else to suffer the way that we have," says Loritz, as photos of her mother sit on the coffee table in front of her.
Since then, Loritz has been researching how many people are missing in Wisconsin.
"It's a far cry from a handful, "adds Loritz. "The NCIC database states over 1,000."
It's Loritz's letters to Governor Scott Walker that eventually led to April's designation as "Missing Persons Awareness" month in Wisconsin.
Her efforts have also gained the support of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center.
"If I see a poster, it's my duty to share it," says Loritz. "All it takes is a couple seconds to look at it. Someone might recognize somebody, and somebody could be found."
Jacob Wetterling's family rallied Congress to pass a law requiring states to establish sex offender registries.
In a statement today, Patty Wetterling says her family is "deeply grieving," asking people to "light a candle," and "be with friends."
Loritz agrees, adding that people should do whatever it takes to "hold their hand, be there for them, and help it be a little easier," explains Loritz, "and maybe make some change so it's not as lonely."
Meanwhile Loritz is hoping to bring more attention to the need for support.
"There's not much for support groups, and things like that," explains Loritz, "especially for the adult side of it."
If you have any information regarding Victoria Prokopovitz's case, contact the Brown County Sheriff's Department.
