Former Wesleyan Soccer Player Facing Murder Charge In Brother's Death

PRINCETON, NJ — A former Wesleyan University soccer player has been charged with murder and other offenses in connection with the death of his younger brother in his home state of New Jersey, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said Monday.

According to Marbrey, 31-year-old Matthew Hertgen has been charged with first-degree murder and several third and fourth-degree weapons offenses related to possession of a knife and a golf club and the death of his brother Joseph Hertgen, 26. He is also charged with one count of third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the death of a cat, Marbrey said.

Hertgen played midfield at Wesleyan from 2011 to 2014. He was listed as 5-foot-8, 155 pounds in his senior year biography in the Wesleyan media guide. His hometown is listed as Toms River, NJ and he wore jersey No. 3.

According to Marbrey, citing the complaint, "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 a home in New Jersey.

According to authorities, at 11:16 p.m. Saturday, Princeton Police received a 911 call about a fire and a dead body in a unit at the Michelle Mews Apartment complex. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Matthew Hertgen, who was determined to be the 911 caller, in the house along with the body of is brother, Joseph, whose injuries included signs of blunt force trauma and lacerations, according to Marbrey.

Joseph was officially pronounced dead at the scene, Marbrey said.

An ensuing investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force, the Princeton Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Crime Scene Unit, led to the charges against Matthew, Marbrey said.

The cause of death will be released after an autopsy, authorities said.

Hertgen is facing 30 years-to-life in prison for the murder charge, authorities said.