Matthew Hertgen; Joseph Hertgen.Photo:Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office; Toms River Regional School District/Facebook
Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office; Toms River Regional School District/Facebook
There was also a small cup filled with what appeared to be blood at the scene, the document states.
On Feb. 22, Matthew Hertgen, 31, called 911 to report a “fire and a dead body” inside his residence, the affidavit says. When officers arrived on the scene around 11:15 pm, they reportedly found the body of Matthew’s brother Joseph Hertgen, 26, on the dining room floor with a “large pool of blood” around his head and torso.
When officers detained Matthew, who reportedly had cuts on his hands, he allegedly told them he’d experienced a “fit of madness” about forty minutes earlier, the document states.
During the course of their investigation, officials spoke with Matthew and Joseph’s older brother, who reportedly 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 reads.
On the night of the alleged murder, the older brother reportedly texted Joseph telling him that Matthew was having “visions” and to let him know if he needed help. Joseph responded “will do,” per the affidavit.
Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death is pending an autopsy, prosecutors have stated.
Matthew has been charged with first-degree murder, as well as related weapons possession and animal cruelty charges.
Matthew played soccer at Toms River North High School and went on to play at Wesleyan University in Connecticut,MLivepreviously reported.
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Joseph, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten soccer player, played at the University of Michigan from 2016 to 2019, per MLive.
He was also a high school two-time MVP and offensive player of the year, according to theDetroit News. He later graduated from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and had a career in asset management, per the outlet.
PEOPLE was unable to immediately reach Matthew’s lawyer for comment.
source: people.com
