Brittany Zimmerman was just 21-years-old and wanted to be a doctor. The University of Wisconsin-Madison college student was attacked and murdered on April 2, 2008 after placing a frantic 911 call that went unheeded.
Officers did not arrive at Zimmerman’s home until 48 minutes after the 12:20 p.m. call because the Dane County emergency dispatcher did not deem the call an emergency. A replay of the 911 tape told a different story. There were screams, gasps and what sounded like a struggle.
When officers arrived they found the young woman’s fiance, Jordan Gonnering on the scene. He told police that he had been out when Zimmerman arrived home from classes and he found her lifeless body when he returned. She had suffered multiple stab wounds to her chest and heart and had been beaten and strangled.
The crime is still unsolved but police believe the attacker was a stranger who made a forced entry, as evidenced by her damaged apartment door. Friends and family have not been able to come up with any motives that might have trigger the attacker. Brittany had no known enemies.
Neighbors reported seeing vagrants in the neighborhood around the time of the murder. Police believe that the killer probably used a two to five inch long knife. DNA samples taken from Brittany Zimmermann’s body may offer a future break in the case.
Brittany’s family has offered a $14,000 reward and Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.
According to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, an independent agency has just finished up a two phased audit of Dane County 911. There were several findings of understaffing, which will be remedied. The immediate recommendation is: “If there is any doubt, ever, on the other end of the line that there is a public safety issue, we will dispatch police.”
Several Madison area media outlets have sued in order to force the release of the audio tape of the call. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Richard Niess is due to rule on the merits as early as today. He has also been asked to rule on releasing Jordan Gonnering’s 911 call. Zimmermann’s parents have requested that their daughter’s tape remain sealed. Her fiance has taken the same stance with regard to his subsequent taped call.
Photos below.