A Princeton man has been charged with killing his brother and a pet cat in an apartment Saturday night, authorities announced Monday.
Matthew Hertgen, 31, is charged with first-degree murder and related weapon possession charges in the death of Joseph Hertgen, 26, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
He is also charged with one count of animal cruelty.
Investigators believe a knife and golf club are the murder weapons.
Police received a 911 call from an apartment in Michelle Mews complex just off Witherspoon Street in downtown Princeton at 11:16 p.m., authorities said.
The caller reported a dead body and fire in the apartment. Officers found Joseph Hertgen dead with signs of blunt force trauma and cuts.
Matthew Hertgen was at the apartment and it was determined he’d made the 911 call, authorities said.
The prosecutor’s office did not elaborate on the fire.
“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,” the prosecutor’s statement said.
The cause of Joseph Hertgen’s death is pending the results of an autopsy, the prosecutor’s office said.
No attorney information was immediately available for Matthew Hertgen.
The Hertgen brothers were standout soccer players at Toms River North High School, and each played soccer in college, Joseph Hertgen played for University of Michigan, and Matthew Hertgen played for Wesleyan University in Connecticut, according to reports.
The investigation is ongoing by task force detectives Karl Johnston, who can be reached at 609-439-5248 or Sgt. Will Jett at 609-331-5010.
Stories by Kevin Shea
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Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com