(10-2-24) Cody Alan Brenner (34) Dunkirk was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the death of Zachary K. Long (26) Dunkirk who died of a fatal overdose on Sept. 10, 2023.

Zachary K. Long Obituary

Zachary K. Long, 26, of Dunkirk, passed away on September 10, 2023.  He was born on February 14, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Zachary enjoyed underground rap and metal music, videogames, and eating really good food. He was having his best time when he was laughing with friends and family, making terrible jokes, that he only realized were terrible after the fact, and laughing harder because of it. To Zachary, everything was funny. He had a goofy, cackling, louder than the world laugh that was often accompanied by hand-clapping, foot-stomping, and trying to catch his breath that only made things funnier. His mother loved his crooked stance and the fact that his smile always came from his heart. His father loved his wit and how he was quick on the conversational draw, always knowing the next thing to say. His siblings remember how Zachary could make any situation seem better by sharing an entire bag of combination pizza rolls with them in the middle of the night, beating them at videogames, or hanging out in each other’s rooms until dawn talking and laughing. Zachary carried with him an enormous, nonjudgmental heart that had room for everything, including his cat’s kittens when they came along as a surprise. He will be missed by his friends and family, who will be sure to continue laughing along with their memories.

He is survived by his mother, Nicole M. McCoy; father, Christopher A. Long; stepmother, Mandy J. Long; siblings, Emily (Hunter Lynch), Jake, and Drew; grandparents, Cathy, Eugene, Jean, and Doug, and great-grandparent Mildred; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his uncle Mitchell.

Brenner pleaded guilty in August to dealing in a narcotic drug, a Level 2 felony carrying up to 30 years in prison.

He was charged, in Jay Circuit Court, with dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony with a maximum 40-year sentence.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge after striking a deal with Jay County prosecutors. Under the terms of the plea bargain, Brenner could not be sentenced to more than 22 years in prison. The 20-year sentence was given on Friday by Judge Brian Hutchison.