Man who killed brother, ate his eyeball, and set family cat on fire found dead in jail cell
· Toronto Sun
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A man who murdered his younger brother and their cat last year has been found dead.
Matthew Hertgen, 32, was found at Mercer County Jail in New Jersey earlier this month, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to NJ.com .
The cause of death has not been released, but according to the outlet, it was an apparent suicide.
The former soccer star from Wesleyan University tried to take his own life a week after his arrest in February 2025, a law enforcement source told the New York Post at the time.
A judge ruled in March of this year that Matthew was not responsible for his 26-year-old brother Joseph’s death, citing severe mental illness, according to NJ.com.
Police open door to bloodbath
Matthew stabbed Joseph with a knife and beat him with a golf club in their Princeton, N.J., apartment.
He also set their cat on fire before dialing 911 to report a body in the home.
He waited until officers arrived at the bloody scene, where he was arrested.
Legally insane
Matthew was determined to be legally insane and a hearing was scheduled for this month that would have determined his future custody — which likely would have been a lengthy stay in a state psychiatric hospital, the outlet reported.
A forensic psychologist testified during his trial that Matthew had a documented history of escalating psychotic behaviour, including religious, supernatural and apocalyptic visions and beliefs.
He was ultimately diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Matthew faced a first-degree murder charge and weapons offences in connection with his brother’s death, and animal cruelty for killing their pet cat.
He also ripped out Joseph’s eye and ate it, according to the Post .
Longtime mental health struggles
Investigators spoke with Matthew and Joseph’s older brother, David Hertgen, who told them Matthew had been experiencing severe mental illness for five years and that he’d been “extremely distressed, despondent and experiencing terrifying visions” on the day of Joseph’s death, the affidavit read.
On the night of the murder, the older brother texted Joseph, telling him that Matthew was having “visions” and to let him know if he needed help. Joseph responded, “Will do,” according to the doc.
Matthew’s obituary detailed his mental health battle, focusing on what he was like growing up.
“Matthew is remembered as a caring and loving person. He was blessed with a large and extended family who he enjoyed spending time with,” the obit reads.
“During his later years, Matthew struggled with severe and profound mental health issues; yet he expressed sorrow, remorse, and repentance in many ways,” the memorial continues.
“He departed with the love, friendship and forgiveness of his family and the eternal hope of salvation. May he rest in peace.”