Joseph Hertgen (26) was allegedly murdered by his brother Matthew (31). This case has some fairly graphic particulars so set off warning.
As some background into the sufferer, Joseph was born in Danbury, CT to David and Debra Hertgen on January 11, 1998. He went to highschool at Toms River North and graduated in 2016. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Enterprise Administration diploma with a focus in Finance and Accounting from the College of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross Faculty of Enterprise. He labored as an Analyst on the Portfolio Administration staff for Locust Level Capital in Pink Financial institution, NJ since 2023. He performed on many sports activities groups, liked touring along with his pals, and all the time loved a superb sport of ping pong or chess. He was such a form individual, had an important love of life and his smile brightened each room.
In his obituary, Matthew just isn’t talked about.
Joseph was liked by his mom, father, brother David…
Some media experiences have sensationalised the case much more by discussing how the household appear to be prosperous and ‘All American,
“It’s extremely tragic. Matthew Hertgen got here from what seemed to be an ideal, all-American household. Nobody may have predicted that one thing like this may occur. To have it finish in such violence is surprising, and the lack of his brother Joseph is devastating,” a high-ranking police supply mentioned.
Matt and Joe — in addition to their eldest brother, David Jr. — had been standout athletes who grew up in a $1.1 million dwelling within the Shore city earlier than the household uprooted and moved to tony Princeton.
The homicide occurred on the household dwelling in Michelle Mews residences — a major location within the school city, the place items can run $2 million.
The brothers had been raised by their mom, Debra Hertgen, and father, David, who has spent many years working at WiLine Networks — a high-tech agency based mostly in Princeton with an estimated annual income of $25 million to $100 million — and at present serves as its president and chief monetary officer, in line with his LinkedIn.
Social media for each males remains to be up on-line.
The possible trigger affidavit for this case is on the market on-line.
In keeping with the doc, on Saturday February 22, 2025, at 11.16pm, Matthew known as 911. He suggested the dispatcher that there was a fireplace and a useless physique inside his residence. He informed authorities that the deceased was his brother Joseph. He mentioned that Joseph had been useless for 30-40 minutes.
The dispatchers requested Matthew how Joseph had been injured and Matthew mentioned ‘I’m not gonna go into any extra particulars proper now.’
Dispatchers requested Matthew if any weapons had been concerned and he mentioned ‘Like I mentioned, I’m not going into any extra particulars.’
When Princeton Law enforcement officials arrived on the dwelling, they had been met by Matthew, who reiterated that there was a deceased individual inside.
Officers discovered Joseph deceased on the eating room ground with a big pool of blood round his head and his torso. He additionally appeared to have sustained extreme blunt pressure trauma to the again of his head. Joseph had a big laceration to his chest and stomach which uncovered his chest cavity. Joseph additionally sustained lacerations to his proper eye and his proper eyeball was not seen.
Some media experiences state that Matthew ate the eyeball after he eliminated it.
Police discovered a cup of blood, together with blood smeared utensils and a bloody plate on the eating room desk subsequent to Joseph’s physique.
There was additionally a bloody golf membership mendacity on the ground.
A pet cat was discovered deceased. The cat had blunt pressure accidents and had been burned.
Police mentioned that Matthew had abrasions and scratches on each of his arms. He informed officers that he ‘went right into a match of insanity, possibly like forty minutes in the past.’
Police interviewed David. David mentioned that he had been with Matrhew on the night of February 22. He mentioned that for the previous 5 years, Matthew had suffered from excessive psychological sickness. He mentioned that on February 22, Matthew was extraordinarily distressed, despondent and was experiencing ‘terrifying visions.’ David went to attempt to assist Matthew. He picked him up at 4.30pm. They went to the grocery retailer after which to David’s home. They stayed there till 10pm. David then drove Matthew again to his house. He walked him to the door and had a quick dialog with Joseph.
At 10.10pm, David despatched a textual content message to Joseph, saying that Matthew was combating ‘his visions’. David informed Joseph to contact him instantly if he wanted any assist. Joseph wrote again ‘will do’ and thanked David for the assistance. At 10.28pm, David texted Matthew and requested him to go on a hike the next day. He wrote to Matthew ‘cling in there.’ Matthew didn’t reply to these messages.
Matthew has been charged with first-degree homicide, varied weapons offenses and animal cruelty. He is because of seem in courtroom on March 24, 2025.
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SOURCE LIST –
https://www.silvertonmemorial.com/obituaries/joseph-hertgen/#!/TributeWall
https://nypost.com/2025/02/25/us-news/inside-preppy-princeton-murder-suspects-wealthy-all-american-family
https://folks.com/man-received-warning-text-before-being-killed-by-brother-allegedly-11692811
