Dane County court documents in the latest legal action taken by the family of Brittany Zimmermann revealed new details about the homicide case and the security of Zimmermann's apartment.
In a wrongful death lawsuit filed in June, Kevin and Jean Zimmermann claim that their daughter's landlord, Wisconsin Management Company, Inc., ignored repeated verbal and written concerns from Brittany's fiancé Jordan Gonnering about the locks and doors at 517 W. Doty Street where Brittany was killed April 2.
While police acknowledged there were signs of forced entry into the apartment, court documents revealed that the perpetrator kicked open the door to Zimmermann's bedroom, where she was found dead, a specific location that was not released by police.
Additionally, court documents said Gonnering received a note from the management company saying they would be showing the apartment to a prospective sub-leaser around noon the day of Zimmermann's death, instructing them to let the sub-leaser in. The Zimmermanns believe this is why the intruder kicked the door to the Brittany's building and her bedroom in but did not damage the door to her unit.
In a release Friday, the management company's president Russ Endres expressed sympathy over Zimmermann's homicide but did not discuss the lawsuit.
Brittany Zimmermann's death has shocked and saddened our entire community. We share those feelings and will continue to work closely and cooperate fully with the authorities as they investigate this tragedy,"" Endres said.
A slew of officials have been subpoenaed to appear in court Sept. 22 and bring any documents pertaining to the Zimmermann case with them. Lawyers for Madison Mayor Dave Cielslewicz, Madison Police Chief Noble Wray, UW Police Chief Sue Riesling, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and Dane County 911 Center Director Joe Norwick are trying to quash the subpoenas in order to prevent unreleased information being made public and hindering the ongoing homicide investigation.
Ald. Mike Verveer, whose District 4 includes Zimmermann's Doty Street apartment, said tenant security concerns extend to other Madison residents beyond his constituents.
""I think no matter what neighborhood you live in, safety is an issue,"" Verveer said. ""I certainly would always encourage tenants to be vigilant about those things and don't allow oneself to live in a house that doesn't have the proper safety features.""
Verveer said renters who are concerned with security features of their house or apartment should immediately notify their landlord and contact the city's building inspection division if further assistance is needed.
