'It's still not real': Investigators say 49-year-old woman who died in cold attempted to call for help before death
UPDATE on Jan. 25, at 4:19 p.m.: The 911 call and subsequent emergency responded to Waldref's death is being reviewed, according to the City of Milwaukee. Call takers and the responding units will be included in the investigation.
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 49-year-old woman identified as Jolene Waldref had just gotten off work and was waiting at a bus stop near 76th and Congress when she suddenly slipped and fell, hitting her head on a gate. Her friends share how she'll be remembered and who she leaves behind. Investigators said Waldref attempted to call 9-1-1 before her death.
With temperature lows hitting below five degrees, medics and firefighters were dispatched near 76th and Congress on Monday, Jan.15th, around 5:45 p.m. where they found the 49-year-old face down and unresponsive.
"Disbelief, you know, it's still not real," said Shannon Eckert, close friend of Waldref.
Eckert said Waldref was using the bus to and from work after her car broke down.
Investigators said surveillance video showed Waldref slipping on ice then hitting her face on a gate. The video also shows several cars pass by for several minutes as Waldref was on the ground.
"They teach kids in school you now, 'if you see something say something.' Same type of thing, you know, if you see somebody has fallen, I mean the decent thing would be to help them," said Eckert.
Investigators also found Waldref's phone unlocked which showed her attempt to call 9-1-1 although police say her calls never went through.
The 49-year-old leaves behind two daughters.
"Their normal is gone," said Eckert.
Eckert created a GoFundMe with the goal to lift a financial burden off the girls with the hope of raising $10,000 dollars.
She said her long-time friend will be remembered for how she helped and cared for others.
The medical examiner's office said they're working to find out if hypothermia played a role in Waldref's death.