Man Allegedly Killed Brother After Suffering 'Terrifying Visions'
Joseph Hertgen had been warned. Just an hour before his brutal murder, one of his siblings sent him a text, urging him to reach out if he needed help with their troubled sibling, Matthew Hertgen. According to PEOPLE, Joseph replied, "Will do" — but he never got the chance.
A 'Fit of Madness' Ends in Murder
On Feb. 22, 2025, police arrived at a Princeton, New Jersey, apartment to find a horrific scene: Joseph, 26, was dead on the dining room floor, covered in blood, with a deep chest wound and blunt force trauma to his head. His right eye was missing. Blood-soaked utensils and a plate sat on the table nearby. Their family cat had also been killed and burned.
It was Matthew who called 911, telling dispatchers there was a fire and a dead body inside the apartment. When officers arrived, they found Matthew covered in scratches and abrasions. He reportedly told police that he "went into a fit of madness," as they took him into custody, according to NBC News.
Warning Signs Were Everywhere
Matthew, 31, had been battling severe mental illness for five years. His surviving brother told police that just hours before the murder, he had spent time with Matthew, describing him as "extremely distressed, despondent, and experiencing terrifying visions," NBC News reported.
Concerned, he texted Joseph, warning him to reach out if he needed help. According to PEOPLE, he also messaged Matthew, encouraging him to "hang in there" and inviting him on a hike the next day. But Matthew never responded, and an hour later, Joseph was dead.
A Brutal and Disturbing Scene
Authorities believe Matthew used a golf club and a knife to kill his younger brother. When officers arrived, they found Joseph's body along with a cup of what appeared to be blood and a blood-smeared plate on the dining table. A charred and beaten cat lay dead nearby.
Matthew had been leaving signs of his deteriorating mental state long before the attack. Months prior, he posted a disturbing poem on social media, describing sharpening knives, suffocation, pain, and blood oozing from eyes. The dark imagery now feels like a chilling premonition.
Awaiting Trial
Matthew has been charged with first-degree murder, weapons offenses, and animal cruelty. He voluntarily consented to pretrial detention and remains in custody ahead of his next court appearance on March 24.
For Joseph, the warning came too late. Despite his brother's efforts to intervene, Matthew's mental decline ended in an unthinkable tragedy — one that leaves their family shattered and searching for answers.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, help is available. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)for support.
References: Ex-College Soccer Player Accused of Killing Brother Posted Violent Poem Months Before Alleged Attack | Preppy murder suspect Matthew Hertgen posted chilling poem about 'knives sharpening' and 'blood oozing from eyes' before allegedly killing brother | Man Received Warning Text Before He Was Allegedly Killed by Brother Who Was Suffering 'Terrifying Visions' | New Jersey man killed younger brother in 'fit of madness,' bloody eating utensils found at scene, officials say
