Teen Sentenced In Mother's Slaying At Toms River Office Park

TOMS RIVER – An 18-year-old from Manchester was sentenced to prison on Friday after stabbing his mother to death in the parking lot of a Toms River office complex last August, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Edgar Diaz, 18, was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison for the killing of his mother, Margarita Diaz, prosecutors said.

Diaz pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter last month before Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels.

Diaz must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility, prosecutors said.

Diaz attacked his mother in the parking lot of the Deer Chase Professional Park on Route 37 in Toms River after an argument, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

He stabbed her with a knife and slammed her head into the pavement outside their parked vehicle. The attack happened in the presence of Edgar Diaz's younger brother, authorities said.

Toms River police were called at 8:42 p.m. about an assault at the office park and found Margarita Diaz unresponsive. Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, she was pronounced dead at Community Medical Center of her injuries, authorities said.

Edgar Diaz was arrested Aug. 13, 2019 and has been held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center since then.