More than three decades after a young father was discovered shot dead in his California home, investigators have finally broken the cold case that had remained unsolved since 1993.
Zachary Jackson, a 30-year-old father, was found murdered inside his Hayward residence on June 17, 1993, though detectives believe he was actually killed around June 14. Relatives made the grim discovery after growing concerned when they hadn't heard from him for several days.
The Breakthrough After Decades
Now, after 32 years of investigation and dead ends, Alameda County Sheriff's officials have announced the arrest of two suspects: Jackson's former partner, Veronica Fonseca, and her boyfriend at the time, Anthony Fox.
Detective Pat Smyth revealed at a press conference that investigators believe both suspects were present during the killing, with Fox allegedly being the one who pulled the trigger.
"At the time, Miss Fonseca was interviewed several times by our investigators, but there was nothing at the time that led them to believe she had any involvement in this case," Smyth explained, highlighting the limitations of 1990s forensic technology.
The Long Road to Justice
The investigation initially explored various theories, including a potential dispute between Jackson and his landlord, but no arrests were made. The case eventually went cold until 2014, when the first significant tip named Fonseca and Fox as potentially involved in Jackson's death.
Despite this breakthrough, the case encountered what Smyth described as a "roadblock" that stalled progress. Then in 2021, another anonymous tip submitted through the sheriff's website pointed investigators back to the same two names.
"The case really didn't move forward until this year, when we developed an investigative plan to try to bring this case forward," Smyth stated. "Over the last few months, there's been a lot of investigative resources poured into this case" with additional witnesses coming forward to corroborate previous accounts.
Arrests Across State Lines
The renewed investigation culminated on November 6, 2025, with coordinated arrests taking place thousands of miles apart. Fonseca, now 54, was apprehended at her home in Queens, New York, while Fox, 56, was taken into custody outside his Sioux City, Iowa residence.
Both face charges of murder and first-degree residential burglary, with sentencing enhancements for firearm use. While authorities haven't disclosed the specific new evidence that led to charges, they emphasised the importance of witness cooperation.
Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson praised the multi-agency effort, stating: "We cannot forget that victims desire and require closure in cases. This is a case that took 32 years to resolve, but murder has no limit on when we can charge you."
Fonseca and Fox await extradition to Alameda County for arraignment in the coming weeks, finally bringing the prospect of justice for a murder that had remained unsolved for more than three decades.
