A former Toms River North soccer star recently found not guilty by reason of insanity in the killing of his younger brother, died in a Mercer County jail, according to reports.
Matthew Hertgen listens to his attorney Jason Charles Matey before his detention hearing before Superior Court Judge Sherry Wilson in Mercer County State Superior Court Thursday, March 6, 2025. He is accused of killing his brother in Princeton.
Matthew Hertgen, 32, of Princeton, died May 8 in an apparent suicide, NJ.com reported.
Hertgen was on trial for murder, animal cruelty and related weapons charges.
Superior Court Judge Robert Lytle ruled him not guilty by reason of insanity, siding with a psychologist who said Hertgen was so mentally ill at the time he killed his 27-year-old brother, Joseph, and the family’s cat in their Princeton home that he did not understand the nature of his actions or that they were wrong.
Hertgen had suffered from mental illness since 2021, the psychologist said, including severe schizophrenia marked by hallucinations and religious delusions that at times included demons, witches and a belief that he possessed two souls.
More: Judge says ex-Toms River soccer star was insane when he killed brother
A hearing was scheduled for this month to determine whether Hertgen would remain hospitalized. It isn’t clear why he was in a jail cell. A spokesperson for the Mercer County prosecutor’s office couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
His family, in the wake of the tragedy, had provided him with forgiveness.
“During his later years, Matthew struggled with severe and profound mental health issues; yet he expressed sorrow, remorse, and repentance in many ways,” his obituary said. “He departed with the love, friendship and forgiveness of his family and the eternal hope of salvation. May he rest in peace.”
His obituary added that “growing up, Matthew is remembered as a caring and loving person. He was blessed with a large and extended family who he enjoyed spending time with.” He became an accomplished soccer player at Toms River High School North before playing at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, his obituary said. Joseph also played soccer at Toms River North and went on to play at the University of Michigan.
Matthew graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in microbiology and biochemistry, according to his obituary, and he went on to work as a vice president for a telecom company.
His funeral was held May 13.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Former Toms River North soccer star who killed brother found dead
