Who murdered 21 year old UW Madison college student Brittany Zimmermann in her own home?
Apr 27, 2019 3:52:30 GMT
Post by hi224 on Apr 27, 2019 3:52:30 GMT
Brittany Zimmermann was a promising UW-Madison student, engaged to her childhood sweetheart. Little did he know, he would find his love brutally slain in their apartment on April 2, 2008. She was murdered in the middle of the day, just blocks from the police station.
“She would be a doctor right now,” her dad said. “We would be proud of her and we could go visit her on her animal farm and everything she wanted because she loved animals. That’s what we wish, that she could live her life the way she wanted to.”
One of the worst parts of this case is that Brittany called 911 and the dispatcher hung up on her, claiming they heard no signs of struggle. Her parents say they've listened to the tape and you can hear screaming.
Police say the case has not gone cold and they are still actively working on leads.
Over a decade later, an arrest has not been made in the case. Madison Police have never named a suspect or person of interest in this case.
“I don’t think we can say that with strength or conviction,” said Madison Police Chief, Mike Koval. “I think there are suppositions, but my suppositions mean little or nothing unless I can prove it.”
In February 2016, Brittany's parents announced new DNA evidence in their daughter’s homicide. Despite Madison Police frowning upon their decision to come forward, Brittany's mother said she couldn’t sit back any longer knowing Brittany’s killer is still free. It was revealed in a search warrant that the DNA found on Zimmermann’s clothing matched the DNA of David Kahl - a man convicted of his seventh OWI and is in a Wisconsin prison. The same man neighbors told News 3 the week of the murder they'd seen going door-to-door asking for money. Interviewed by WKOW-TV, Kahl admitted being at Zimmermann’s apartment on April 2, 2008, but he said he did not kill her.
Later in 2016, Madison Police believed a Cross Plains man may have had information that could help solve the case. Andrew Scoles, a friend of David's in prison, said Kahl broke down and confessed to him. Scoles said in order to turn that information over to police, he wanted two felony convictions expunged from his criminal record.
Jean Zimmermann, Brittany's mom, had contact with Andrew via email. She plead with him to please come forward and do the right thing.
But, nothing ever came of this. Unfortunately, in August 2017, Scoles died in a motorcycle accident. Any potential information regarding Brittany's murder died with him.
“I do believe he had information that would have definitely helped solve the case,” said Jean Zimmermann.
Brittany's parents want the MPD to classify her case as a cold case so that they can hire a private investigator and pursue avenues the police department hasn't gone down. It seems they are feuding a bit with the police regarding the DNA evidence and potential suspects among other things.
“I’m still honestly, with Scoles out of the picture, the old-school cop in me hopes that loose lips will sink ships,” Koval said. “Someone is going to say something to somebody about this case in a bar or overheard and I think someone will seize upon it and give us another lead. Those are the things you cling to.”
If you have any information on the Zimmermann homicide or have any information you feel could be important, you can call Madison Crimestoppers at 608-266-6014. There is still a $40,000 reward fund for answers leading to an arrest.
SOURCES:
www.channel3000.com/news/every-single-day-family-of-brittany-zimmerman-looks-for-answers-10-years-after-unsolved-murder/722820612
www.nbc15.com/content/news/Justice-for-Brittany---Ten-years-later-and-no-arrest-in-2008-murder-478359393.html
Photo of Brittany and her fiance
“She would be a doctor right now,” her dad said. “We would be proud of her and we could go visit her on her animal farm and everything she wanted because she loved animals. That’s what we wish, that she could live her life the way she wanted to.”
One of the worst parts of this case is that Brittany called 911 and the dispatcher hung up on her, claiming they heard no signs of struggle. Her parents say they've listened to the tape and you can hear screaming.
Police say the case has not gone cold and they are still actively working on leads.
Over a decade later, an arrest has not been made in the case. Madison Police have never named a suspect or person of interest in this case.
“I don’t think we can say that with strength or conviction,” said Madison Police Chief, Mike Koval. “I think there are suppositions, but my suppositions mean little or nothing unless I can prove it.”
In February 2016, Brittany's parents announced new DNA evidence in their daughter’s homicide. Despite Madison Police frowning upon their decision to come forward, Brittany's mother said she couldn’t sit back any longer knowing Brittany’s killer is still free. It was revealed in a search warrant that the DNA found on Zimmermann’s clothing matched the DNA of David Kahl - a man convicted of his seventh OWI and is in a Wisconsin prison. The same man neighbors told News 3 the week of the murder they'd seen going door-to-door asking for money. Interviewed by WKOW-TV, Kahl admitted being at Zimmermann’s apartment on April 2, 2008, but he said he did not kill her.
Later in 2016, Madison Police believed a Cross Plains man may have had information that could help solve the case. Andrew Scoles, a friend of David's in prison, said Kahl broke down and confessed to him. Scoles said in order to turn that information over to police, he wanted two felony convictions expunged from his criminal record.
Jean Zimmermann, Brittany's mom, had contact with Andrew via email. She plead with him to please come forward and do the right thing.
But, nothing ever came of this. Unfortunately, in August 2017, Scoles died in a motorcycle accident. Any potential information regarding Brittany's murder died with him.
“I do believe he had information that would have definitely helped solve the case,” said Jean Zimmermann.
Brittany's parents want the MPD to classify her case as a cold case so that they can hire a private investigator and pursue avenues the police department hasn't gone down. It seems they are feuding a bit with the police regarding the DNA evidence and potential suspects among other things.
“I’m still honestly, with Scoles out of the picture, the old-school cop in me hopes that loose lips will sink ships,” Koval said. “Someone is going to say something to somebody about this case in a bar or overheard and I think someone will seize upon it and give us another lead. Those are the things you cling to.”
If you have any information on the Zimmermann homicide or have any information you feel could be important, you can call Madison Crimestoppers at 608-266-6014. There is still a $40,000 reward fund for answers leading to an arrest.
SOURCES:
www.channel3000.com/news/every-single-day-family-of-brittany-zimmerman-looks-for-answers-10-years-after-unsolved-murder/722820612
www.nbc15.com/content/news/Justice-for-Brittany---Ten-years-later-and-no-arrest-in-2008-murder-478359393.html
Photo of Brittany and her fiance