Milwaukee fatal battery; arrest made, friends identify victim

Police investigate Milwaukee fatal battery

Milwaukee police are investigating a fatal battery on the city?s south side after responding to a home near 23rd Street and Ramsey Avenue on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee police are investigating a fatal battery on the city’s south side after responding to a home near 23rd Street and Ramsey Avenue on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12.

What we know:

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office and Milwaukee Fire Department confirmed one person was pronounced dead at the scene, though police have not released additional details.

The Milwaukee Police Department said it happened around 2 p.m.

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Police said the suspect struck the 64-year-old victim in the head with a stone, causing blunt force trauma, leading to the victim's death.

Police have a 29-year-old suspect in custody, and charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for review.

What they're saying:

Friends identified the victim as Carrie Zettel.

Scene near 23rd and Ramsey, Milwaukee

"I’m really having a hard time swallowing this because it shouldn’t have happened," said Susan Henderson-Hoffmann, a longtime family friend.

Loretta Moyer, another close friend, described the scene as overwhelming.

"It was a zoo. There were police everywhere," she said.

Dig deeper:

Friends say Zettel called the police around 4 a.m. after a family member she had a strained relationship with allegedly tried to break into her home. Moyer said Zettel left her a voicemail that morning describing the attempted break-in and police response.

"Pounding on the doors, the windows, and called 911. The police came, and caught her under a tarp and she ran away," Zettel said in the message. "Oh my god Loretta call me when you get a chance, honey."

The chilling phone call would be the last time they heard her voice.

Hours later, police were back at Zettel’s home. 

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Henderson-Hoffmann said her death has left friends shaken.

Scene near 23rd and Ramsey, Milwaukee

"Carrie didn’t deserve what she got," she said. "She definitely didn’t deserve how she passed."

"She was amazing. She would give you the shirt off her back," Moyer added. "She would be there to help you no matter what."

What's next:

A candlelight vigil for the victim is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the home.