Tragic Incident in Princeton: Mental Health Struggles Surface in Murders of Brothers

Tragic Incident in Princeton: Mental Health Struggles Surface in Murders of Brothers

A Princeton man once recognized as a star high school student now faces serious charges for allegedly killing his brother and a family cat. This shocking event has raised questions about mental health issues and the impact of untreated conditions.

Matthew Hertgen, 31 years old, is the central figure in this troubling case. He stands accused of murdering his younger brother, Joseph Hertgen, who was just 26 years old, inside their family’s Princeton apartment. The violence reportedly involved a knife and a golf club, and Matthew is also facing charges of animal cruelty related to the cat’s death.

Initial Emergency Response

The Princeton police received a 911 call from Matthew on February 22 at approximately 11:16 p.m. In his call, he reported a fire and mentioned his brother’s deceased body located at Michelle Mews Apartments. Emergency responders arrived on the scene to uncover disturbing details.

Upon their arrival, officers found Matthew alongside Joseph’s lifeless body, which displayed severe injuries. Reports indicated that Joseph had significant head trauma, including a missing eye, in addition to wounds on his chest and upper body.

An Unraveling Narrative

During the police interrogation, Matthew appeared to have cuts on his hands. When asked about the circumstances of his brother’s injuries, he avoided providing much detail, stating, “I’m not gonna go into any more details right now.” This lack of transparency has fueled speculation about Matthew’s state of mind at the time of the incident.

According to the probable cause statement viewed by local news outlets, Matthew described experiencing a