Princeton preppy murder victim received warning text from other brother hour before slaying

A tragic and disturbing incident unfolded in Princeton, New Jersey, on February 22, when 31-year-old Matthew Hertgen allegedly murdered his younger brother, Joseph Hertgen, 26, in the family’s apartment. Matthew is also charged with animal cruelty in connection with the death of a cat. The events leading up to the crime paint a heartbreaking picture of a family grappling with mental health struggles, brotherly love, and a devastating descent into violence. What makes this case particularly poignant is the involvement of the surviving brother, who had spent time with Matthew just hours before the alleged murder and had even sent a warning to Joseph about Matthew’s deteriorating mental state.

The surviving brother reportedly told police that Matthew had been battling severe mental illness for the past five years. On the day of the murder, the brother picked Matthew up around 4:30 p.m. and spent the evening with him, going to the grocery store and then to the brother’s residence. They remained there until approximately 10:00 p.m., after which the brother drove Matthew back to his apartment. It was during this time that the brother encountered Joseph, the victim, and had a brief conversation with him before leaving. Unbeknownst to him, this would be the last time he would see his younger brother alive. In a chilling detail, the surviving brother sent Joseph a text message about an hour before the murder, warning him that Matthew was struggling with “his visions” and urging him to reach out if he needed help. Joseph responded simply, “Will do.”

The timeline of events that followed is both haunting and tragic. Around 11:16 p.m., Matthew called 911 to report a fire and his brother’s dead body. When the dispatcher asked how Joseph was injured, Matthew declined to provide further details. Police arrived at the Michelle Mews Apartments complex to find Matthew inside the residence along with Joseph’s body, which bore severe injuries, including a missing eye, head wounds, and injuries to the chest and upper body. The scene was further marred by the discovery of a cup of blood, blood-smeared utensils, and a plate, as well as a deceased cat that appeared partially burned. During his interview with police, Matthew, who had cuts on his hands, described his actions as a “fit of madness… maybe like forty minutes ago.”

Matthew’s appearance in court on Thursday morning for a detention hearing added another layer of sorrow to the case. Typically, such hearings involve the presentation of evidence by both the defense and prosecution to determine whether the defendant should be held in jail pending trial. However, no evidence was presented during the hearing because Matthew consented to pretrial detention, meaning he will remain in custody without bail until his trial. What struck many as particularly poignant was the absence of Matthew’s family members from the court. His parents, who have faced public scrutiny for their absence, were not present to support their son during this critical moment. Matthew is scheduled to return to court on March 24, and the public defender’s office, which is representing him, has declined to comment on the case while it remains pending.

The Hertgen brothers were once celebrated as star athletes, their lives seemingly filled with promise and potential. Joseph, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had been recruited to play soccer at the University of Michigan, while Matthew had played the sport at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Their athletic prowess and close bond as brothers make the events of February 22 all the more shocking. As the investigation into Joseph’s death continues, local and state officials are treating it as a homicide, with autopsy results still pending. Meanwhile, the community is left to grapple with the intersection of mental illness, family tragedy, and the loss of a young life that once held so much promise.

In the days and weeks following the murder, details have emerged that paint a picture of a family torn apart by mental health struggles and a descent into violence. Matthew’s social media activity, including eerie poems he shared in the days leading up to the murder, has raised questions about his mental state and whether it could serve as part of an insanity defense. Experts have noted that the timeline of events, including the surviving brother’s account of Matthew’s distress and visions, could bolster such a defense. However, much remains unclear, and the case will undoubtedly be subject to intense scrutiny as it unfolds in the coming months.

For now, the Hertgen family’s story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness and the fragility of life. The absence of Matthew’s family from his court appearance has sparked questions about their role in his life and whether they could have done more to intervene. While the legal system will ultimately decide Matthew’s fate, the human cost of this tragedy is undeniable. The loss of Joseph Hertgen, a young man whose life was cut short in the most brutal manner, and the unraveling of a family once bound by love and shared experiences, is a story that will haunt those who follow it for years to come.