For Immediate Release:
March 24, 2023

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced an investigation into the death of a woman from an apparent fentanyl-related drug overdose in Hackensack, NJ. The investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love and the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Captain Michael Antista.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at approximately 5:27 p.m., the Hackensack Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting multiple unresponsive victims within the parking garage of 400 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ. Responding officers located four unresponsive females, and life-saving measures were immediately initiated, including the administration of Naloxone. A fifth female, initially believed to be suffering from an unrelated medical episode was also treated as an overdose victim and administered Naloxone.

Four of the victims were subsequently transported to the Hackensack University Medical Center for further treatment, while one remained at the scene and refused further medical treatment. One of the transported victims, identified as 29-year-old Michelle Edoo of Bergenfield, NJ, was pronounced deceased at the Hackensack University Medical Center on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

Prosecutor Musella stated, “We send our condolences to Ms. Edoo’s family and to all of the families who have lost a loved one from a drug-related overdose. We must sound the alarms. You have to assume that any drug bought on the street – whether powder or pill – contains fentanyl and can kill you.”

“The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to combating the deadly effects of fentanyl through targeting suppliers and traffickers of narcotics. Although fentanyl has plagued our state for several years, it is now being seen in both recreational and black market medications and pills. We offer condolences to the Edoo family and remain vigilant in our investigative response,” said Chief Love.

Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse stated, “I want to thank the great men and women of the Hackensack Police Department, Fire Department, EMS, as well as the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for their swift and immediate response throughout this tragedy. I want to assure the residents of Hackensack that my administration is working closely with law enforcement agencies to eliminate the scourge of fentanyl from our streets.”

No additional information is available as the investigation into the circumstances of the death is ongoing.