Head of Madison’s 911 center unsure why dispatcher didn’t hear coed's screams

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The interim head of Madison’s 911 center is still not sure why a dispatcher never heard screams or a struggle when Brittany Zimmermann called just before she was killed.

But Kathy Krusiec says numerous steps have been taken to prevent future problems, including the failure to call back Zimmermann’s cell phone after her call was cut off.

In May, the center ruled out equipment problems and distractions or hearing problems on the part of the dispatcher.

Dane County is continuing a disciplinary investigation, but officials say vital information has been tied up because of the police probe into the slaying.

On Monday, details of a half-dozen search warrants were unwittingly released after authorities said they wanted to keep the items sealed but failed to meet a renewal deadline.

It was those warrants that disclosed Zimmermann’s screaming and struggling and the fact that she was strangled and stabbed to death.

Police have ruled out some suspects including the University of Wisconsin student’s boyfriend who lived with her.

The actual 911 tape is still sealed.

Now that the search warrants have come out, media organizations that tried and failed to get a judge to release the tape and other data are asking for those items again.

A court hearing is set for next Wednesday.

Tags: wisconsin news, madison, 911, coed, death