NJ man, 31, used golf club, knife to kill brother and cat in $6,300 apartment, cops say

🔶 NJ man charged with murder
🔶 Younger brother and cat killed, cops say
🔶 Bodies found in apartment

PRINCETON — A 31-year-old borough man has been accused of killing his younger brother and a cat after the bodies were recovered from a luxury apartment over the weekend.

Matthew Hertgen, of Princeton, was charged with the first-degree murder of 26-year-old Joseph Hertgen, as well as animal cruelty and weapons offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club, police said.

The younger brother was found dead late Saturday night when law enforcement responded to the Michelle Mews apartments, which rent for more than $6,300 a month. The complex is part of the Residences at Palmer Square.

Around 11:16 p.m., Princeton Police received a 911 call was made by Matthew Hertgen, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta Marbrey said.

The victim suffered various injuries, including signs of blunt force trauma and cuts. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Cause and manner of Joseph Hertgen’s death were pending results of an autopsy, Marbrey said.

The Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Princeton Police Department and the State Police Crime Scene Unit, led to the charges against Matthew Hertgen.

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Joseph Hertgen was an analyst at Locust Point Capital, according to the company’s website.

He graduated from the University of Michigan, while Matthew Hertgen attended Wesleyan University. Both brothers played college soccer.

Anyone with potential case information was asked to contact the prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force Sgt. Will Jett at 609-331-5010 or Detective Karl Johnston at 609-439-5248.

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