International Courant
The Princeton, New Jersey, man accused of killing his former faculty athlete brother and a cat, allegedly with a knife and golf membership, posted eerie messages to social media months in the past.
Matthew Hertgen, 31, is charged with first-degree homicide in reference to the demise of his 26-year-old brother, Joseph Hertgen. He’s additionally charged with third- and fourth-degree weapons prices associated to possession of a golf membership and knife, in addition to animal cruelty associated to the demise of a household cat.
“Who’re you attempting to strangle? And what god are you serving?” Hertgen wrote in a single poem printed to Fb in September 2024. “I can see the knives sharpening. I can hear the arrows whizzing. I can really feel my coronary heart beating. However can he?”
The September poem turns into more and more violent, describing a bloody strangulation.
PRINCETON MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING FORMER STAR ATHLETE BROTHER, CAT WITH GOLF CLUB, KNIFE NEAR IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL
Homicide suspect Matthew Hertgen pictured in his mugshot. (Mercer County prosecutor’s workplace)
Hertgen posted a distinct poem in Could 2024, writing: “Do you want to look at me undergo? Do you prefer to crush me with ache? Do you want to listen to me moan? Now what’s it that you really want me to do that time? Would you like me to burn every part down?”
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Hertgen’s social media presence a decade in the past appeared extra regular, that includes pictures of himself enjoying soccer or hanging out with associates.
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Left: Joseph Hertgen in faculty. Proper: Matthew Hertgen in faculty. Princeton police initially responded to a 911 name on Feb. 22 round 11:16 p.m. reporting a hearth and a lifeless physique on the Michelle Mews Flats advanced. (College of Michigan/ Wesleyan College/ Google Maps)
Authorities have but to explain any form of motive associated to Hertgen’s homicide prices.
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Princeton police initially responded to a 911 name on Feb. 22 round 11:16 p.m. reporting a hearth and a lifeless physique on the Michelle Mews Flats advanced.
“When officers responded to the scene, they discovered Matthew Hertgen, who was decided to be the 9-1-1 caller, within the residence together with the physique of the sufferer, which exhibited indicators of blunt drive trauma and lacerations,” the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Workplace mentioned in a press launch.
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Matthew Hertgen is charged with first-degree homicide in connection together with his brother Joseph Hertgen’s demise. (Wesleyan.edu)
Joseph Hertgen was pronounced lifeless on the scene, and his post-mortem outcomes are pending. Native and state officers are investigating the 26-year-old’s demise as a murder.
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Each brothers performed faculty soccer — Matthew at Wesleyan College in Connecticut and Joseph on the College of Michigan.
An investigation into Joseph’s demise is ongoing. Mercer County authorities are asking anybody with details about the alleged crime to contact the Murder Activity Pressure Sgt. Will Jett at 609-331-5010 or Det. Karl Johnson at 609-439-5258.
Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox Information Digital and FOX Enterprise. Electronic mail tricks to [email protected] or on Twitter at @audpants.
Princeton man accused of killing brother, cat shared eerie poems on social media
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