Arrests Made in Cold Case Murder from 1993
Recently, two suspects, including a mother of two residing in Queens, have been arrested in relation to the 1993 murder of Zachary Jackson, a father who was shot dead in California.
Jackson’s body was discovered in his Alameda County home on June 17, 1993. Relatives noted that he might have been deceased for several days before they arrived.
Initially, the investigation focused on a potential dispute between Jackson and his landlord. However, Detective Pat Smith from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office announced a shift in focus toward Veronica Fonseca, Jackson’s former partner and the mother of his children.
Smith explained that Fonseca had been interviewed multiple times back in 1993, but there was no evidence linking her to Jackson’s murder at that time. He noted, “I think, you know, back then, we simply didn’t have the investigative tools we do today. Our reliance was mostly on witnesses and fingerprints, and DNA technology was just starting to emerge.”
The investigation into Jackson’s murder seemed to stall until 2014, when information came to light suggesting a connection between Fonseca and Anthony Foxx, her boyfriend during the time of Jackson’s death.
Tips indicated that the two could have been involved in Jackson’s murder. Although the investigation hit several obstacles, fresh information in 2021 pointed to additional suspects.
Eventually, a tipster came forward, and from there, investigators gathered more witnesses to help solidify their case.
On November 6, 2023, Fonseca, now 54, was arrested at her home in Queens, while 56-year-old Fox was apprehended by police in Iowa. Prosecutors have mentioned that both are waiting to be extradited to California.
Smith remarked on the importance of community cooperation, saying, “This case really shows what can happen when people step up and share what they know with law enforcement, which can then leverage all available resources in pursuing justice.”
Collaboration for this case involved numerous agencies, including the FBI’s Oakland office and multiple local police departments from various states.
Both Fonseca and Fox face charges of murder and robbery, with additional sentencing implications due to the use of a firearm in the commission of the crime.
While investigators suspect that Fox was the one who shot Jackson, it’s believed that Fonseca was also present during the incident. Details regarding their charges or the evidence pointing to a motive remain undisclosed.
