A former Wesleyan University soccer player, Matthew Hertgen, 31, has been charged with the murder of his younger brother, Joseph Hertgen, 26, and animal cruelty for allegedly killing a cat. The incident occurred on February 22, 2025, in an apartment in downtown Princeton, New Jersey. Authorities report that Matthew used a knife and a golf club in the attacks.
He called 911 to report a fire and a dead body at the scene. Upon arrival, officers found Joseph’s body with signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations. Joseph was a successful soccer player at the University of Michigan and worked in asset management.
The cause of his death awaits an autopsy. Matthew faces charges including first-degree murder, weapons offenses, and animal cruelty. A first-degree murder conviction in New Jersey carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
