Additional Coverage:
- Princeton grad attempts suicide in jail after allegedly killing brother and eating his eyeball (themirror.com)
Princeton Man Accused of Fratricide Attempts Suicide
Princeton, NJ – Matthew Hertgen, 31, accused of brutally murdering his younger brother, reportedly attempted suicide in his jail cell Thursday night. This follows a virtual court appearance earlier that day where Hertgen appeared in a suicide vest. He is currently being held at Mercer County Correction Center on murder charges.
Hertgen is accused of fatally beating and stabbing his 26-year-old brother, Joseph, with a golf club and a knife in their family’s luxury apartment last Saturday. Disturbingly, police sources also allege Hertgen set the family cat on fire and removed one of his brother’s eyeballs, which he then reportedly consumed.
If convicted, Hertgen faces 30 years to life in prison. Months prior to the alleged murder, he posted poems on social media referencing graphic imagery, including blood and knives.
Police arrived at the upscale residence off Witherspoon Street after Hertgen himself called to report a dead body and a fire. Investigators discovered a bloody knife, fork, and plate near the victim’s body, leading them to believe Hertgen consumed the missing organ. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the complaint alleges Matthew “purposely or knowingly engaged in conduct that led to the death of his younger brother and caused the death of a cat.”
Joseph’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at St. Luke Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, followed by burial at Saint Gabriel’s Cemetery and Mausoleum in Marlboro.
The incident has shocked the affluent Princeton community. Neighbors reported a discreet police presence at the time, with many unaware of the gruesome details until the story broke.
One resident, initially mistaking the unmarked police cars for a sign of a celebrity visit, expressed shock upon learning the truth. Another local described the situation as a “Dateline” murder mystery for rich kids, adding that the town is “good at keeping things quiet.”
Hertgen’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 6. The motive behind the alleged killing remains unclear.