A lawsuit between Dane County and the family of a slain UW-Madison student has been settled. Under the agreement, Dane County will contribute $5,000 to the Brittany Zimmermann reward fund and $2,5000 to the family’s attorney.
The settlement comes after the Zimmermann family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dane County, the county executive, and a former 911 operator. The 21-year-old victim apparently used her cell phone to call for help around the time of her murder in 2008, but was disconnected during the call. When authorities were called to her apartment later, she was found stabbed and strangled to death.
The County still maintains compliance, but “believes the settlement is in the public interest, as it provides resolution for the family and community, and saves further expense from ongoing litigation.”
The search for Zimmerman’s killer continues, although authorities have never identified any suspects in the case.