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Natalia E. Zyga, 30, is charged with strict liability for a drug-induced death, they said.
Police found Sasha Truesdale dead Nov. 23 after overdosing on drugs given to her by Zyga, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr. and Rockaway Borough Police Chief Conrad Pepperman said in a joint release Tuesday.
Under state law, someone who sells illegal drugs that kills the user can be charged with his or her death. Anyone convicted of the offense can be sentenced to from 10 to 20 years in state prison. A plea bargain could produce a lesser term, however.
Zyga was sent to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court.
Truesdale's family noted her struggle with addiction in her obituary in hopes that someone on a similar path would be inspired to seek help. Born in Morristown, Truesdale graduated from Morris Knolls High School in 1996 and Montclair State in 2003 Magna Cum Laude.
She worked as an insurance analyst with New Jersey Manufacturers and in customer service with Panera in Morristown.
"Sasha’s joy in life was being an artist," her obituary reads." She loved animals, traveling and archeology. Her passion for travel and exploration brought her to Spain, England, Belize, Jamaica, and Mexico among other places."
The Rockaway Borough Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes and Special Enforcement Units participated in the investigation, authorities said.
Anyone with additional information that could help the case is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.
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