Questions loom over investigation into mother, daughter found dead in Milwaukee lake

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Questions remain nearly a week since a mother is believed to have driven into Northridge Lake in Milwaukee.

Twenty-five-year-old Khaliah Brister and 7-year-old Tyrielle Jefferson were found dead one day later. 

A family member called 911 last Wednesday, saying a woman was threatening to drive into the lake at Bradford Beach with her daughter. 

A missing person alert was never issued. 

Dispatch audio obtained through an open records request indicates a witness called 911 saying Khalila was threatening to drive into the lake before she ended up leaving. Khalilah's mother also called 911 and shared a similar message she says she heard from a witness.

"We were down by Bradford Beach by the landing, where the boat landing is, and a little girl came running up saying her mom was going to jump in the water. We ran out by the pier. The mom was standing on the pier, and she was bawling and saying she couldn't do it anymore."

"She said my granddaughter came running at her, telling her my daughter is trying to kill her."

It's still not clear who was in charge of the investigation and why the public was never notified about a missing and endangered child. 

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said Tuesday, Dec. 13, their deaths need to lead to change across all law enforcement agencies. 

"When it comes down to it, we have many in our community, and we need to have a conversation across many communities in Milwaukee County to make sure something like this doesn't happen again," said Crowley. 

CBS 58 has learned multiple agencies were alerted to the missing mother and daughter. 

The first call was taken by the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management -- a 911 dispatch center. 

Officials tell us the call was communicated to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's office, and then transferred to the North Shore 911 dispatch center, which covers Brown Deer, Glendale, Fox Point, and Bayside. 

A dispatcher transferred the call because they had reason to believe the victims left the Bradford Beach area and were traveling toward Brown Deer.