Joseph Hertgen, 26, was found dead in an apartment complex in Palmer Square on Saturday night, Feb. 22. His older brother, Matthew Hertgen, 31, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
At approximately 11:16 p.m. on Saturday, Princeton Police responded to a 911 call reporting a fire and dead body within the Michelle Mews Apartments, according to a statement from the Office of the Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey. The officers determined that Matthew Hertgen made the 911 call. The apartment complex is located at the north end of the square, adjacent to Art on Hulfish.
Once officers arrived on the scene, they found Matthew Hertgen in the residence with his brother’s body, which exhibited “signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations,” Marbery wrote. The statement says that a cat within the residence was also killed.
The investigation that followed, which was conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Princeton Police Department, and the State Police Crime Scene Unit, led to the arrest of Matthew Hertgen.
The investigation is still ongoing and Joseph Hertgen’s cause of death is yet to be determined. Matthew Hertgen has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree animal cruelty, and third and fourth-degree weapons offenses concerning possession of a knife and golf club, according to the statement.
Joseph and Matthew Hertgen were both Princeton residents. Joseph Hertgen graduated from the University of Michigan in 2020, and his older brother graduated from Wesleyan University in 2014.
In the past 40 years, there have been at least four other reported homicides in Princeton, in 1986, 1987, 2010, and 2021, according tocrime statistics maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Overall, however, Princeton remains one of the safest areas in New Jersey.
Cynthia Torres is an assistant News editor and an Archives contributor. She is from New Bedford, Mass. and typically covers University administration.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Track and field finishes regular season strong, prepares for Heps and NCAA Championships
Carina Fucich and Luke StocklessWomen’s and men’s track & field had strong performances over the weekend and look well prepared for Ivy Championships next weekend.
Women’s and men’s track & field had strong performances over the weekend and look well prepared for Ivy Championships next weekend.
As federal government bears down, town of Princeton vows to stay strong on immigration
Sena Chang and Charlie RothWhile the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, fear is spreading in the immigrant community. However, the town of Princeton is holding firm in its support of the immigrant population.
While the Trump administration cracks down on immigration, fear is spreading in the immigrant community. However, the town of Princeton is holding firm in its support of the immigrant population.
How your Coffee Club order turns into compost
Allison JiangThe ‘Prince’ explores the sustainability partnership between the Coffee Club and the S.C.R.A.P. lab, which turns used coffee grounds into nutrient-rich compost. Student “compost concierges” collect and transport the grounds, delivering them to the S.C.R.A.P. lab to be processed and reintegrated into the campus environment.
The ‘Prince’ explores the sustainability partnership between the Coffee Club and the S.C.R.A.P. lab, which turns used coffee grounds into nutrient-rich compost. Student “compost concierges” collect and transport the grounds, delivering them to the S.C.R.A.P. lab to be processed and reintegrated into the campus environment.
