BARNEGAT, N.J. — Two men from South River have been charged with Strict Liability Drug Induced Death following the fatal overdose of a 34-year-old woman in Barnegat Township in February, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Tuesday.
Jeffrey Zachary, 56, and Ronald Zackery, 59, were taken into custody without incident on Wednesday, following an investigation linking them to the heroin/fentanyl and cocaine that caused the woman’s death on February 26, 2025. Both are now being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Key Points:
- Jeffrey Zachary and Ronald Zackery charged with Drug Induced Death in fatal overdose
- Victim died February 26 from heroin/fentanyl and cocaine supplied by the suspects
- Narcotics, including heroin, crack cocaine, and alprazolam, were recovered in searches
Fatal overdose leads to narcotics trafficking probe
Officers from the Barnegat Township Police Department responded to a residence on February 26 and found the victim unresponsive and already deceased from an apparent drug overdose. A follow-up investigation by multiple agencies determined that Zachary and Zackery had supplied the fatal substances.
The next day, detectives began surveillance on Zachary, culminating in a motor vehicle stop and the execution of search warrants. During these operations, police recovered crack cocaine from his vehicle and approximately 70 wax folds of heroin along with additional crack cocaine from his South River residence.
Zachary was taken into custody and initially released under New Jersey Bail Reform guidelines before the upgraded charges were later filed.
Charges follow lab confirmation of fatal drugs
Toxicology results confirmed the presence of heroin/fentanyl and cocaine in the victim’s system, leading the Ocean County Medical Examiner to rule the substances as the cause of death. This prompted the upgraded charges of Strict Liability Drug Induced Death against both men.
Zackery, who was present during the search of Zachary’s residence on February 27, was also arrested at the scene. He faces multiple drug distribution and possession charges, including possession of heroin, crack cocaine, and alprazolam with intent to distribute.
Both defendants were taken into custody again on April 23 at the South River residence.
Men held without bail as charges escalate
With the new homicide-related charges in place, both suspects remain detained as they await a court hearing. The case was built through joint efforts by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, the Barnegat Township Police Department, and the South River Police Department.
Officials have not yet announced court dates for the detention hearings or any additional charges stemming from the ongoing investigation.
