Murder of Brittany Phillips: A Mother’s Quest for Justice After 20 Years

At just 18 years old, Brittany Phillips was a vibrant college student attending Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma when her sudden absence from classes alarmed friends and faculty, prompting concerns for her well-being.

Tragically, on September 30, 2004, three days after she was last spotted, officers conducted a welfare check on Brittany after a close friend expressed worry. Upon entering her second-floor apartment, they discovered her lifeless body, having been brutally strangled and sexually assaulted.

In the years that have followed this heinous crime, law enforcement has interrogated numerous ex-boyfriends and strangers, examined the data of registered sex offenders in the area, and collected DNA evidence — yet, disappointingly, the investigation remains unsolved with no viable suspects identified.

As the 20th anniversary of Brittany’s tragic death approaches, her mother, Maggie Zingman, now 69, reflects somberly, stating, “This is the first anniversary where the case has been colder than when she was alive; we buried her on her 19th birthday, October 4. I never imagined that she would become a murder victim, let alone that her case would turn cold. The fact that I find myself at the 20th anniversary is beyond heart-wrenching.”

In a poignant tribute to her daughter, Zingman has spent the past 18 years crisscrossing the nation in her brightly decorated purple and pink KIA Carnival, its exterior bearing large posters of Brittany along with a hotline number for tips.

Zingman’s mission is simple yet powerful: to raise awareness around her daughter’s unsolved murder in hopes of drawing out information that could lead to the capture of her killer.

As a dedicated trauma psychologist specializing in aiding combat veterans, Zingman has named her cross-country odyssey the “Caravan to Catch a Killer,” emphasizing her unwavering commitment to seeking justice for Brittany.

“I want my daughter’s case solved before I die,” she fervently declares. “I feel like the case dies with me; if I stopped advocating, Brittany would be angry with me, just as she would do the same for me.”

A college student with dreams

Bright and ambitious, Brittany was not just any ordinary student; her passion for sports and music was matched only by her determination to transfer to Oklahoma State University and further her studies in chemistry, with aspirations of a future in cancer research.

The last conversation Zingman had with her daughter took place on September 27, the same day she was seen last, as Brittany made a visit to urgent care for persistent allergy problems.

“She had just been at a doctor’s office due to her ongoing allergy issues, and when I spoke to her, she mentioned she was with a friend, saying, ‘I’m going to drop my friend off and then I’m going home,’” Zingman recalls, illustrating the normalcy of that day.

Brittany’s sudden disappearance from classes prompted a concerned friend to seek assistance from law enforcement.

In a horrific twist, when police entered Brittany’s apartment, they found her body unceremoniously lying next to her bed, revealing the violence she had endured.

Zingman reflects on the scene described to her, noting, “There were defensive marks found beneath Brittany’s fingernails, indicating she likely fought for her life. I suspect the assailant was either lying in wait or broke in after she had fallen asleep.”

Despite hundreds of interviews conducted by the Tulsa Police Department, “none of the information gathered has led to any concrete developments in the case,” laments cold case detective Jeremy Stiles.

‘Maybe he’s a serial predator’

In a twist of fate, Zingman speculated in 2007 about the possibility that Brittany’s killer could have moved on to commit other crimes elsewhere. “The thought crossed my mind that perhaps he is a serial predator traveling along highways and may be responsible for other rapes or murders across the United States,” she reflects. “I was motivated to see if any cases bore similarities to Brittany’s, in hopes that someone would recognize patterns.”

“I came up with the idea that if I displayed something prominent on the side of my vehicle that would catch people’s eyes, perhaps it might inspire them to look me up or provide a tip,” she explains, showcasing her innovative approach to rallying support for her daughter’s case.

Over the course of the last 18 years, Zingman has journeyed over 300,000 miles, traversing 48 states, tirelessly distributing flyers and raising awareness at rest stops, police stations, and during traffic jams.

Her travels have not come without challenges; she has dealt with four vehicles in total, experienced breakdowns in states ranging from Oklahoma to Wisconsin, navigated late-night detours in Wyoming, driven perilously through a rainstorm in Utah, and contended with icy roads in Washington State.

Reflecting on her efforts, Zingman states, “The hard work was worth it, especially during the early years, as I was able to secure 12 to 16 newspaper stories each time I ventured out, which occurred biannually.”

Zingman’s relentless caravan excursions have generated a significant stream of tips regarding her daughter’s unsolved homicide.

Detective Stiles acknowledges, “We’ve definitely had individuals come forward, stating that Dr. Zingman’s advocacy inspired them to reach out and share what they know, which has been incredibly valuable to our investigation.”

He adds, “I’ve yet to encounter another victim’s family quite as determined as Dr. Zingman; her efforts to publicize Brittany’s story are extraordinary.”

For Zingman, traveling on the open road has become an avenue for coping with her profound loss.

“It sustains me, because beyond the purpose, it’s the connections, the hugs from empathetic strangers, the honks of support as I drive down the mountain,” she expresses. “These experiences have been remarkable; I couldn’t have managed this emotional burden without them.”

While she clings to hope that the identity of her daughter’s killer will one day be uncovered, her journeys have evolved into a mission of solidarity with other families grappling with unsolved homicides.

“It’s less about my daughter’s case now,” she remarks. “My focus has shifted toward reaching out—providing a voice for other families and helping them feel validated in their experiences.”

A possible breakthrough in the case

In a surprising turn of events, a new lead emerged in 2023 when Zingman received an unexpected call from her ex-husband, who had stumbled upon a birthday card Brittany mailed in 2004 to be forwarded to her grandfather. This card bore a post office stamp dated September 29—two days following police’s initial theory on Brittany’s death.

“It was a kiosk-generated stamp,” Zingman elaborates. “Had it been a traditional stamp, it could have simply sat in the mail bin, but given the nature of this stamp, its date could potentially shift the timeline of events.”

Detective Stiles concurs, acknowledging the odd coincidence of the timing, noting, “It comes after our established understanding of when the incident likely took place.”

Detective Stiles expressed optimism that advancements in genetic genealogy profiling on samples collected from beneath Brittany’s fingernails might soon yield significant breakthroughs, stating, “If this leads us to a person of interest, certainly we will want to discuss their involvement.”

As preparations for another road trip near, Zingman looks ahead to hitting the road around Thanksgiving.

Her planned route will take her through Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and California, as she continues her unwavering pursuit of justice for Brittany.

“Brittany was not just my daughter; she was beautiful, intelligent, and cherished,” Zingman mournfully shares. “It breaks my heart that the world lost such a bright light. However, my car has become a vessel of remembrance. I take comfort in knowing so many have seen her story travel with me across this nation.”

If you have any information about the murder of Brittany Phillips, please call Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS or email [email protected].

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.

Stic hope that this new evidence could provide important insights into the timeline of Brittany’s disappearance and death.​ “It could give us a clearer picture of the days leading up to her tragic end,” he explained. ‍

Zingman remains cautiously hopeful as she ​considers the implications of this new development. “Finding this card could unlock new paths in the investigation. Maybe it’s a breadcrumb ‍leading us to answers we’ve long sought,” she said with‌ a mix of anticipation and anxiety about what the next steps might reveal.

As​ both Zingman and the detectives piece together ⁤this evidence, the prospect of fresh leads reignites Zingman’s determination. “Each connection I⁤ make, every piece of new information feels like a step closer to resolving not just my daughter’s case but⁢ also giving closure to the ⁣myriad of families facing similar heartaches,” she stated, affirming ​her unwavering commitment to seeking justice for Brittany and ​others.

The journey ahead may still be‌ arduous, but Zingman’s resilience and the potential clues emerging ‍from the shadows​ of the past‌ reflect the enduring hope that justice can be served.

In the​ long run,⁤ Zingman knows that her quest ⁣transcends ​just the pursuit of truth regarding Brittany’s case. It ‌has morphed into a testament of love, endurance, and solidarity—a journey that offers not just answers, but also healing and hope to those bound by unending grief.