Michelle Edoo: 2 arrested as NJ woman dies in mall parking lot after overdosing on fentanyl

September 19, 2024

BERGENFIELD, NEW JERSEY: A New Jersey woman, along with four others, inadvertently overdosed on fentanyl, leading to the woman's death in the parking lot of a New Jersey shopping mall. The woman has been identified as 29-year-old Michelle Kerry Edoo. The five who were working at the mall overdosed on cocaine laced with fentanyl. Following Edoo's death, two people have been taken into custody.

The Bergenfield native, who worked at the Cheesecake Factory, died from fentanyl poisoning last Saturday, March 18, 2023, three days after she and four other workers at the Riverside mall were found in the lower level of the parking garage. Except for Edoo, the other four workers survived, reported New York Post.

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What happened on the day that led to Edoo's death?

The group of five was unaware that the cocaine they were consuming contained dangerous amounts of the opioid fentanyl, said Bergen prosecutors. Before the arrival of first responders who administered Narcan, the overdose-reversing medicine, the women received CPR from Good Samaritans who found them. Out of all the victims aged between 29 to 41, four of them were shifted to the Hackensack University Medical Center, while a fifth victim declined medical treatment and remained at the scene.

Edoo leaves behind her daughter

Edoo was remembered as a loving mother to her daughter, Ava. The online fundraiser created by her family to support her daughter read, "More than anything, Michelle worshipped her daughter Ava and took pride in telling anyone who would listen about how captivating she is," and described her as "always laughing, smiling."

"She always supported and pushed the people she loved and cared for their dreams. She spoke with genuine love and compassion for anyone she spoke with and was always willing to help with a loving hand or a listening ear," the tribute added. Edoo who worked full-time at the mall had just enrolled in a nursing school.

Police arrested two men in connection to Edoo's death

In connection to the overdoses, authorities took two men into custody from Paterson, New Jersey. Garfield Jones, 48, was arrested and charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance and third-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Robert McCrae, 52, who was also arrested on Friday was charged with fourth-degree possession with the intent to distribute drug paraphernalia and third-degree possession with the intent to distribute less than a half-ounce of heroin.

At a press conference on Friday, March 24, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said, "We are here to sound the alarm. The death is due to the fentanyl that is pouring into our communities, killing our friends and killing our family members," reported NJ.com.

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