Botched 911 Call Cited in Slaying of College Student

[Janice]

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/botched-911-call-cited-in-slaying/20080502091109990001

Botched 911 Call Cited in Slaying

MADISON, Wis. (May 2) - A college student apparently called 911 from her cell phone shortly before she was killed but a dispatcher hung up, failed to call back and never sent police to investigate, authorities said Thursday.

Madison Police Chief Noble Wray said it was too early to know whether a better response could have prevented the April 2 slaying of Wisconsin-Madison student Brittany Zimmermann or helped police capture her killer.

Authorities refused to release the content of the phone call, but Wray said it should have been enough for the Dane County 911 Center to take it seriously.

"It would be accurate to state that there is evidence contained in the call which should have resulted in a Madison police officer being dispatched," Wray said at a news conference. "The 911 center did not call back to the telephone number, Madison police were not notified and no officer was sent."

Zimmermann, 21, was found slain in her apartment in an apparently random crime. Police believe someone broke into her apartment before killing her. They have not identified a suspect but have ruled out her fiance, who found her body in the apartment they shared.

Dane County Public Safety Communications Director Joseph Norwick said the dispatcher who received the call from Zimmermann's cell phone inquired several times to determine whether an emergency existed. The dispatcher hung up after receiving no answer and then answered another 911 call that was waiting, he said.

The dispatcher failed to call the number back as required under the department's policy, Norwick said.

Norwick said he was investigating the incident and reviewing whether policies should be changed and employees should be disciplined. But he also said, "I don't think there's anything to apologize for at this time."


Slain Student's Plea for Help

University of Wisconsin-Madison student Brittany Sue Zimmermann
called 911 before being killed but got no response, police said Thursday. The 21-year-old
student's fiance found her dead in her apartment on April 2. The coroner said she died of
"a complexity of traumatic injuries."

[Ireneparalegal]

I am sick and tired of hearing abt 911 calls being unanswered, not taken seriously or somehow screwing up in some way. The person in charge of that call better lose their job and answer to this tragedy.

[InspectorExstead]

that is so terrible & sad. she was so young & beautiful. they should definitely have followed through with protocol. unfortunately, it might not have saved her life, but the call should have been taken much more seriously. who knows what might have happened if it had been taken seriously.

[Stormtracker TF]

Really makes you wonder who you can trust. I don't know if this was an accident or what, but I think 911 Operators who do stuff like this should be charged as if they were in on the crime. Some guy might get away with murder because of this.

Really sad. R.I.P.

[dlemond]

Norwick said he was investigating the incident and reviewing whether policies should be changed and employees should be disciplined. But he also said, "I don't think there's anything to apologize for at this time."


Really? Not even an apology when there really was an emergency?

I'd love to watch this guy Norwick say that exact comment to the girl's parents.

If I was her dad, Norwick would soon be hoping someone takes his 911 call seriously.

[Ireneparalegal]

My understanding is that EVERY 911 call is investigated regardless. Even hang-ups. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

[AB]

This was a such a terrible thing to have happen. What is wrong with those 911 people?

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I am sick and tired of hearing abt 911 calls being unanswered, not taken seriously or somehow screwing up in some way. The person in charge of that call better lose their job and answer to this tragedy.

So am I. NO EXCUSE!!