Princeton, NJ – A New Jersey man has been charged with the brutal murder of his own brother, a crime that has shocked the Princeton community. Authorities say the suspect, 31-year-old Matthew Hertgen, had posted disturbing and violent poetry on social media in the days leading up to the attack.
A Disturbing Crime Scene
Police were called to Joe Hertgen’s upscale apartment near Witherspoon Street on Saturday night, just two blocks from Princeton University. Officers arrived to find the 26-year-old victim, who had been slashed and beaten to death.
The suspect himself had called 911, reporting a fire inside the apartment. When officers entered, they discovered not only Joe Hertgen’s lifeless body but also the family cat, which had been killed.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Joe Hertgen was a former University of Michigan soccer player and had recently been working as a financial analyst at a firm in Redbank. Friends and colleagues described him as ambitious and well-liked, making his tragic death even more difficult to comprehend.
Court Appearance and Ongoing Investigation
Matthew Hertgen appeared in court via video link this week from the Mercer County Jail, wearing handcuffs and a protective vest. His attorney and prosecutors agreed to meet again next week before an initial plea is entered and his detention is formally considered.
As the hearing ended, Matthew stood up, waved to his attorney, and returned to his jail cell, showing little visible emotion.
Police have not yet determined a motive for the alleged murder. However, they have noted Matthew’s violent social media posts leading up to the attack as part of their investigation.
Authorities continue to piece together the events that led to this shocking act of family violence.
