Arrests Made In 30-Year-Old Cold Case Killing Of East Bay Father: DA

HAYWARD, CA — Two people have been charged with murder in connection with the slaying of a father in unincorporated Hayward more than 30 years ago, prosecutors said.

Veronica Fonseca, 56, and Anthony Fox, 54, are accused of shooting and killing Zachary Jackson at his home in 1993.

In addition to murder, they've also been charged with first-degree residential burglary. Sentencing enhancements have been filed for both suspects. Fox is awaiting extradition from Iowa, while Fonseca is awaiting extradition back to California from New York, authorities said.

"We cannot forget that victims desire and require closure in cases," District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said in a statement Tuesday. "This is a case that took 32 years to resolve, but murder has no limit on when we can charge you."

Prosecutors did not disclose what they thought the motive may have been for the slaying.

Jackson was found dead at his home on June 17, 1993. However, authorities believe he may have been killed just days before.

Neighbors told officers at the time that they heard gunshots coming from his home either on June 13 or 14, Alameda County Sheriff's Detective Pat Smyth said during the press conference. Friends and associates told investigators they last saw Jackson around June 14, they added.

At the time, the investigation appeared to be focused on Jackson's landlord, with police saying associates claimed the two had been in a dispute.

Investigators learned at the time that Fonseca and Jackson had two children together, police said. Although they interviewed her at the time, there was nothing that led officers to believe she may have been involved in his death, police said.

Fox, meanwhile, was dating Fonseca at the time. Investigators did not interview him in 1993, police said.

Without any viable leads, the case went cold after a few months, authorities said.

In 2014, the investigators again began looking into the case after receiving a tip accusing Fonseca and Fox of being responsible for Jackson's murder, police said.

But investigators encountered a roadblock at the time, and were unable to move forward with the case, police said. It's unclear what that roadblock was.

Following another tip in 2021, the case appeared to gain new ground. However, it wasn't until 2025 that investigators were able to move forward with a plan that would allow them to file charges against the two suspects, police said.

In October, investigators were finally able to secure a warrant for Fonseca's and Fox's arrest, authorities said.