A New Jersey man, Matthew Hertgen, has been accused of killing his younger brother, Joe Hertgen. The 31-year-old suspect appeared in court this week via video link from the Mercer County Jail, wearing handcuffs and a protective vest.
During the hearing, both Hertgen’s attorney and the prosecutor stated they would meet next week to continue legal discussions. An initial plea could be heard before determining the suspect’s detention status. At the end of the hearing, Hertgen stood up, waved to his attorney, and returned to his jail cell.
Joe Hertgen, 26, was found dead in his apartment in downtown Princeton. He had previously played soccer for the University of Michigan and was employed as a financial analyst at a firm in Red Bank.
Authorities responded to a call on Saturday night at Joe Hertgen’s upscale apartment near Witherspoon Street, just two blocks from Princeton University. The call was made by Matthew Hertgen, who reported a fire inside the residence.
When officers arrived at the second-floor apartment, they discovered Joe Hertgen’s body. Reports indicate that he had been slashed and beaten. The family’s pet cat was also found dead at the scene.
In the days leading up to the incident, Matthew Hertgen had posted disturbing and violent poetry on his social media accounts. Authorities have not yet determined a clear motive for the alleged crime, and the investigation remains ongoing.
