“Disturbing Text Message Precedes Tragic Events in Princeton”
Before the fatal incident, the surviving brother of murder suspect Matthew Hertgen alerted his youngest sibling via text message. Matthew Hertgen, aged 31, stands accused of murdering his 26-year-old brother, Joseph Hertgen, in their Princeton home, purportedly using a knife and golf club. Additionally, he faces charges of animal cruelty related to a cat’s death.
According to a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, the surviving brother had spent time with Matthew on the day of the alleged crime, sharing that Matthew had been battling severe mental illness for five years. The account reveals that Matthew appeared distressed and tormented by visions earlier in the day. Despite efforts to console him, the tragic events unfolded later that evening.
Notable by their absence, the parents of the Princeton murder suspect failed to attend their son’s court appearance. The surviving brother’s interactions with both Matthew and Joseph in the lead-up to the incident shed light on the distressing situation. The surviving brother reached out to Joseph via text, expressing concern about Matthew’s struggles, just an hour before the unimaginable tragedy. Before the fatal sequence of events, the surviving brother extended an invitation to Matthew for a hike the following day, offering words of encouragement.
The night of the incident, authorities responded to a distress call from Matthew reporting a fire and the discovery of Joseph’s deceased body. The scene revealed gruesome injuries inflicted upon Joseph, with evidence of a violent struggle. Amidst the chaos, a deceased cat was also found in distressing circumstances.
During questioning, Matthew showed signs of self-harm, claiming to have succumbed to a moment of uncontrollable madness. The eerie details surrounding the events leading to the tragic outcome paint a harrowing picture of a family torn apart by unfathomable violence.
During a recent court appearance in Princeton, New Jersey, Joseph Hertgen, accused of harming his younger brother and a cat in their apartment, waived his right to a detention hearing. This hearing typically involves the presentation of evidence by both the defense and the prosecution to determine whether the defendant should remain in custody before trial. However, in this case, Hertgen agreed to pretrial detention, eliminating the need for evidence to be presented at the hearing. Hertgen’s family members were notably absent from the proceedings, and he is scheduled to appear in court again on March 24th. The public defender’s office, representing Hertgen, declined to comment on the case. Joseph Hertgen was tragically found dead, with his autopsy results pending, prompting a homicide investigation by local and state authorities. Joseph and his brother Matthew were accomplished soccer players in high school and college. Matthew attended Wesleyan University, while Joseph played soccer at the University of Michigan.
