PRINCETON, N.J. – A Princeton Borough man has been arrested and charged with murdering his younger brother, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey announced Sunday.
Matthew Hertgen, 31, faces first-degree murder charges in the death of Joseph Hertgen, 26. He is also charged with multiple weapons offenses and third-degree animal cruelty related to the killing of a cat found at the scene.
Authorities said Princeton Police responded to a 9-1-1 call around 11:16 p.m. Saturday at the Michelle Mews Apartments, where they discovered Joseph’s body exhibiting injuries from blunt force trauma and lacerations. Matthew, determined to be the caller, was found at the scene along with signs of a fire inside the residence.
An investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, Princeton Police, and the State Police Crime Scene Unit led to Matthew Hertgen’s arrest.
The cause and manner of Joseph Hertgen’s death remain under investigation pending autopsy results.