“Playing on numerous sports teams, relishing the thrill of travel with companions, and engaging in friendly matches of ping pong or chess were just a few of his favorite pastimes,” stated the obituary. “He possessed a gentle spirit, a deep appreciation for life, and his infectious smile never failed to illuminate any room.”
Princeton authorities were initially alerted to a distressing incident on the evening of February 22 at approximately 11:16 p.m., where a report of a fire and a deceased individual at the Michelle Mews Apartments complex was received. Upon their arrival, law enforcement discovered Matthew Hertgen, who turned out to be the individual who made the 911 call, inside the dwelling alongside the body of his brother, showing clear signs of blunt force injuries and lacerations, as stated by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in a press release.
As of now, authorities have refrained from disclosing any potential motive behind the charges of murder against Hertgen. Debra Hertgen and her son, David Hertgen, Jr., were seen attending the wake of Joseph Hertgen in Toms River, New Jersey.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the wife of a slain Minnesota pastor was recently charged with an alleged conspiracy to kill her husband during a mission trip, further highlighting the somber realities of crime and its far-reaching consequences.
In a disturbing turn of events, unsettling and graphic poetry shared by Matthew Hertgen on his Facebook profile in September and May of 2024 depicted imagery of blood seeping from eyes and the sharpening of knives. Despite these unsettling revelations, a friend of Hertgen from Toms River High School expressed positive sentiments about the former student, emphasizing his contributions as a soccer player who later pursued studies at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Joseph Hertgen, another member of the family, also excelled in soccer at Toms River before moving on to the University of Michigan.
Daniel Gotlin, a reputable attorney based in New York, noted that both Hertgen brothers were academically gifted, although he acknowledged that Matthew seemed to be grappling with evident mental health challenges. Drawing from his own legal experiences, Gotlin speculated that Hertgen’s defense team may consider a plea of insanity for the 31-year-old suspect, which could potentially lead to his confinement in a mental health facility rather than a traditional correctional setting until his capacity to rejoin society without posing a threat can be determined.
The proceedings surrounding the case have been further complicated by a looming pre-trial hearing scheduled for March 6, aimed at facilitating the accumulation of crucial discoveries and insights pertaining to Hertgen’s situation. In light of these developments and the uncertainties that lie ahead, the gravity of the circumstances surrounding the tragic events remains palpable.
(Source: Princeton preppy murder suspect attempts suicide as slain brother laid to rest: report)
