By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Mercer County reported that an investigation into the death of a Princeton Borough man (pictured) has led to the arrest of his brother, who is another borough resident.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey stated that Matthew Hertgen, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, along with various third and fourth-degree weapons offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club and one count of third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the death of Joseph Hertgen (pictured), 26.
The complaint alleges that Matthew purposely or knowingly engaged in conduct that led to the death of his younger brother and caused the death of a cat that was located within the residence, MCPO officials said.
According to Mercer County officials, on Saturday, February 22, at approximately 11:16 p.m., Princeton Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting that there was a fire and a dead body within one of the residences inside the Michelle Mews Apartments.
When officers responded to the scene, they found Mathew Hertgen, who was determined to be the 9-1-1 caller, in the residence along with the body of the victim, which exhibited various injuries, including signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations, Mercer County officials said.
Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene, MCPO authorities say.
Mercer County officials stated that the ensuing investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Princeton Police Department, and the State Police Crime Scene Unit led to the charges against Hertgen.
The cause and manner of the victim’s death are pending the results of an autopsy, according to Mercer County officials.
The investigation is ongoing.