Manchester Teen Charged In Mother's Murder Headed To Adult Court

TOMS RIVER, NJ — An 18-year-old from Manchester has been charged with murder in the stabbing death of his mother in the parking lot of a Toms River office complex in August, the Ocean County prosecutor's office announced Tuesday.

Edgar Diaz, 18, of Manchester, will be prosecuted as an adult in the Aug. 7 slaying of his mother, Margarita Diaz, 44, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Edgar Diaz, who was 17 at the time, is accused of attacking his mother in the parking lot of the Deer Chase Professional Park on Route 37 in Toms River. Authorities allege he stabbed her with a knife and slammed her head into the pavement outside their parked vehicle at the office park.

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.

The attack happened in the presence of Edgar Diaz's younger brother, authorities said.

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

Billhimer said he has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon — a knife — for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.

"Today, Edgar Diaz voluntarily waived jurisdiction of the Family Court to Criminal Court, and will be prosecuted as an adult," Billhimer said.

Billhimer praised the work of Chief Juvenile Prosecutor Anthony Pierro, along with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, the Toms River Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

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