OCEAN COUNTY – The teen accused of brutally murdering his mother last year in a Toms River professional plaza has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, according to authorities.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer confirmed that 18-year-old Edgar Diaz of Manchester was sentenced March 6 in the horrific case of matricide that took place last summer. Diaz had pleaded guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter in the death of 44-year-old Margarita Diaz.
It was on Wednesday, August 7 at 8:42 p.m. when Toms River Police were called to the Deer Chase Professional Park for reports of an assault. When officers arrived, they found an unresponsive female. She was taken to Community Medical Center where she died of her injuries.
During the probe by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, it was revealed that Edgar Diaz attacked his mother following an argument, stabbed her with a knife and slammed her head into the pavement outside their parked vehicle in the plaza.
Since he was apprehended on August 13, he has been lodged at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
Diaz must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:43-7.2.
In a press release issued March 6, Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledged the fine work of Chief Juvenile Prosecutor Anthony Pierro and Assistant Prosecutor Madeline Buczynski, who skillfully handled the case on behalf of the State. Prosecutor Billhimer likewise commends the diligent efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their professionalism and collective assistance resulting in this lengthy State Prison sentence for Diaz.
