A former soccer player from Wesleyan University is charged with killing his younger brother in a brutal attack over the weekend close to Princeton University. His brother was also a former soccer player at the University of Michigan.
After authorities in Princeton, New Jersey, found the bodies of his younger brother and a cat after Matthew Hertgen, 31, called 911 to report “a fire and a dead body,” he was charged with first-degree murder, multiple firearms charges, and one count of third-degree animal cruelty.
When police arrived at the Michelle Mews Apartments in Princeton late on Saturday, they declared 26-year-old Joseph Hertgen and the cat dead.
Joseph Hertgen was slashed and suffered blunt force injuries, most likely from a knife and golf club that were discovered in his brother’s possession. According to officials, an autopsy has not yet been conducted to identify the cause of death.
According to officials, the allegations were the result of an ongoing multiagency investigation.
According to a press release from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, “the complaint alleges that Matthew purposely or knowingly engaged in conduct that led to the death of his younger brother and caused the death of a cat that was located within the residence.”
Matthew Hertgen shared a poem on social media about knives, blood, and anguish months prior to the alleged murder.
“I can see the knives sharpening./ I can hear the arrows whizzing./ I can feel my heart beating./ But can he?” it reads in part.
“He convulses, and he doesn’t stop./ He’s lost. He’s asleep. He’s dead,” the poem continues..
The brothers’ residence in Princeton at the time of the incident was confirmed by officials. According to the soccer rosters of Wesleyan University and the University of Michigan, they are originally from Toms River, New Jersey.
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During his stay at the University of Michigan, Joseph Hertgen won three U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Awards and was named an Academic All-Big Ten soccer player three times.
According to LinkedIn, he was employed as an analyst at Locust Point Capital at the time of his death, having earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2020.
According to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Matthew Hertgen faces a sentence of 30 years to life in prison if found guilty of first-degree murder, exclusive of the other allegations. On Thursday, he is expected to show up for a detention hearing.
Officials stated that an investigation is still ongoing. It is recommended that anyone with information call Detective Karl Johnston at (609) 439-5248 or Homicide Task Force Sgt. Will Jett at (609) 331-5010.
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