Jail For Woman That Caused Morris Co. Artist's Overdose Death

ROCKAWAY, NJ — A Rockaway Township woman was sentenced for five years in jail for selling the drugs that caused the November 2018 overdose death of a local artist, Morris County Prosecutor Fredrick M. Knapp said.

Natalia E. Zyga, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of strict liability for drug induced death for giving Sasha Truesdale, 40, the heroin and fentanyl that killed her, Knapp said. Zyga was previously charged with other drug offenses in relation to Truesdale's death.

Zyga has been held at the Morris County Correctional facility since she was first charged in December, Knapp said, pending court proceedings. She will need to serve at least 85% of her 5 year sentence under New Jersey's No Early Release Act.

Truesdale, a Rockaway resident, was an artist who held a degree in anthropology, her family said in an obituary. She loved traveling and animals, and most recently worked in customer service at the Morristown Panera.

The family was transparent about the cause of Truesdale's death, writing, "Sasha died of an overdose and her family is sharing this information in the hopes that it inspires others who struggle with addiction to pursue the help they need."

Under New Jersey law, a person who provides the drugs that lead directly to someone's death can be charged with strict liability for drug induced death. The offense is a first degree crime, and is punishable by up to 20 years in jail; the sentence would be subject to the No Early Release Act.