Woman Charged In Artist's Overdose Death: Morris Co. Prosecutor

ROCKAWAY, NJ — A Rockaway Township woman was charged in the November overdose death of a local artist, Morris County Prosecutor Fredrick M. Knapp said.

Natalia E. Zyga, 30, has been charged with strict liability for drug induced death for allegedly 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.

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.

The investigation remains ongoing; anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.