Princeton, New Jersey, accused man Killing his former college athlete brother And reportedly there was a knife and a golf club, and a creepy message on social media a few months ago.
Matthew Hertgen, 31 years old He was charged with first-degree murder In connection with the death of his 26-year-old brother, Joseph Hertgen. He is also charged with third and fourth-degree arms charges related to possession of a golf club and knife, as well as animal cruelty related to the death of a family member's cat.
“Who are you trying to strangle? And what kind of God do you serve?” Hertgen wrote in one poem published on Facebook in September 2024.
September's poems become increasingly violent and explain bloody strangulation.
The Princeton man was accused of killing a former star athlete brother, a golf club cat and a knife near an Ivy League school
The murder suspect Matthew Hartgen is depicted in his mug shot. (Mercer County Prosecutor's Office)
Hertgen posted another poem in May 2024, saying, “Want to see me suffering? Want to crush me in pain? Want to hear the moans? Want to burn everything? ?”
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Hertgen's social media presence ten years ago looked more normal, featuring photos of herself playing football and hanging out with friends.
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Left: Joseph Hartgen from the University. Right: Matthew Hartgen from University. Princeton police initially answered a 911 call on February 22 at about 11:16pm, reporting a fire and a body at Michelle Muse Apartment Complex. (University of Michigan/Wesleyan University/Google Maps)
Authorities have not yet explained any kind of motives related to Hertgen's murder charge.
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Princeton police initially answered a 911 call on February 22 at about 11:16pm, reporting a fire and a body at Michelle Muse Apartment Complex.
“When officers responded to the scene, they found Matthew Hertgen, who decided to be the 9-1-1 caller in his residence, along with the victim's body, the county prosecutor's office said in a press release.
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Matthew Hertgen is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his brother Joseph Hartgen. (wesleyan.edu)
Joseph Hertgen has been declared dead at the scene, and the results of his autopsy are pending. Local and state officials are investigating the death of the 26-year-old as a murder.
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Both brothers played college football at Wesleyan University in Connecticut at Matthew and Joseph at the University of Michigan.
An investigation into Joseph's death is underway. Mercer County Authority Anyone with information about a suspected crime is asked to contact the Murder Task Force Sergeant. Jett at 609-331-5010 or det. Carl Johnson at 609-439-5258.
