A man has been arrested for manslaughter in connection with the death of a 29-year-old in Toms River.
On February 28, 2019, Officers from the Toms River Police Department found a 29-year-old male unconscious, apparently suffering from a drug overdose, after they received a report of an unresponsive person at the Pelican Inn.
Officers immediately initiated life-saving measures. Upon arrival of EMS, personnel were able to reestablish a pulse. The victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately expired on March 2, 2019.
Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that William Anderson, 60, of Browns Mills, NJ, had supplied heroin and cocaine to a third party on February 27, 2019, which was ultimately supplied to the victim.
Toxicology analysis later received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of cocaine and fentanyl in the victim’s system. It was determined through laboratory analysis that the controlled dangerous substances supplied to the victim and distributed by Anderson were, in fact, cocaine and fentanyl—matching the cocaine and fentanyl found in the victim’s system.
Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the cocaine and fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death. As a consequence, Anderson was charged with Strict Liability Drug-Induced Death on August 20, 2021.
On February 27, 2025, Anderson pled guilty to manslaughter before the Honorable David M. Fritch, J.S.C., in connection with the death of a male victim in Toms River on or about February 28, 2019. At the time of his sentencing on May 2, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison.
On August 24, 2021, Anderson was taken into custody without incident by Detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and Pemberton Township Police Department. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler, who are handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, and Pemberton Township Police Department for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation, resulting in Anderson’s guilty plea and soon his state prison sentence.