Princeton Man Charged with Murder of Brother and Family Cat, Posted Disturbing Poems Prior to Crime
Matthew Hertgen, a 31-year-old from Princeton, New Jersey, has been charged with the brutal murder of his younger brother, 26-year-old Joseph Hertgen, and the family cat. He faces serious charges, including first-degree murder, third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses for possession of a golf club and knife, and animal cruelty for setting the family cat on fire.
In the months leading up to the crime, Matthew posted disturbing messages on his social media accounts, which have raised concerns among authorities. One unsettling poem shared in September 2024 described violent imagery, stating, "Who are you trying to strangle? And what god are you serving?" As the poem progressed, it became increasingly violent, with references to "sharpened knives" and "arrows whizzing." Another post from May 2024 further hinted at violent tendencies, with phrases such as "Do you want me to burn everything down?" These eerie posts now appear to reflect Matthew's state of mind before the tragic incident.
The crime occurred on the night of February 22, 2025, when Matthew placed a 911 call around 11:16 p.m., reporting a fire and a dead body at the Michelle Mews Apartments. When police arrived, they found Matthew at the scene, along with Joseph's lifeless body, which showed signs of blunt force trauma and multiple lacerations. The cat, believed to have been killed in a similarly horrific manner, was also found at the scene. Joseph was pronounced dead shortly after authorities arrived, and an autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death.
Local and state officials have launched a homicide investigation into the case, and the violent nature of the crime has shocked the community. Both brothers had successful college soccer careers—Matthew played for Wesleyan University, while Joseph was a star athlete at the University of Michigan. The family, known for their wealth, had recently moved from a $1.1 million home in Toms River to Princeton, where the crime took place.
As authorities continue to investigate, the chilling details of the crime, combined with Matthew’s disturbing social media posts, have left many in disbelief over the tragic events that unfolded. If convicted, Matthew could face a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.
References
- Homicide Investigation: A Practical Handbook | Office of Justice Programs. (n.d.). https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/homicide-handbook#:~:text=Investigation%20goals%20include%20preserving%20the,suspects%2C%20and%20arresting%20suspects%20and
- https://www.shabdkosh.com/hi/dictionary/english-hindi/whizzing%20arrows/whizzing%20arrows-meaning-in-hindi#google_vignette. (n.d.). https://www.shabdkosh.com/hi/dictionary/english-hindi/whizzing%20arrows/whizzing%20arrows-meaning-in-hindi#google_vignette
- Matthew Perry’s last Instagram post from hot tub days prior to his death leaves Internet puzzled. (n.d.). MorungExpress. https://morungexpress.com/matthew-perrys-last-instagram-post-from-hot-tub-days-prior-to-his-death-leaves-internet-puzzled
- Princeton University. (n.d.). Princeton University. https://www.princeton.edu/
- Stamm, D. (2025a, February 25). Man accused of killing soccer player brother, cat inside NJ apartment. NBC10 Philadelphia. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/murder-brother-cat-princeton-apartment/4118187/
- Stamm, D. (2025b, February 25). Man accused of killing soccer player brother, cat inside NJ apartment. NBC10 Philadelphia. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/murder-brother-cat-princeton-apartment/4118187/
