Gruesome Murder in Princeton: Man Charged with Killing Brother and Animal Cruelty

USUnited States|

A 31-year-old man, Matthew Hertgen, has been charged with the murder of his younger brother, Joseph Hertgen, 26, in a shocking incident at their Princeton, New Jersey apartment. Authorities allege that Matthew brutally attacked Joseph using both a knife and a golf club, mutilating his body and reportedly consuming part of it, including an eyeball. Police were summoned to the scene after Matthew called 911, only to discover the gruesome crime scene, which included a bloody knife and the charred remains of the family cat.

The incident took place late Saturday night at the Michelle Mews complex, and police sources described the brutality as "way overboard," shocking the local community, known for its familial integrity. Prior to the attack, Matthew had posted a disturbing poem on Facebook that referenced violence and death, raising concerns about his mental state, according to The NY Post.

Matthew faces multiple charges including first-degree murder and animal cruelty, with potential life imprisonment if convicted. His brother, an alumnus of the University of Michigan and a financial analyst, was remembered by the community as a promising individual. An official autopsy will determine the cause of death.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United States

Social Media Influencer Arrested for Disturbing Animal Abuse Charges

Florida influencer Logan Guminski, 27, was arrested for allegedly filming sexual acts with her pet chihuahua and sharing the videos on Instagram. Authorities charged her with two felonies: sexual activity involving an animal and filming such activities, following an anonymous tip received in January, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Guminski, who has approximately 15,000 followers on the platform, was taken into custody on March 21 and released on a $10,000 bond on March 22. During police questioning, she admitted to creating and sharing a video of the acts for $500 and acknowledged similar actions with another dog, which are reportedly still stored on her phone. The investigation, led by Detective Batts, revealed multiple incriminating photos and videos that confirmed her involvement. Despite the serious allegations, Guminski's Instagram account remains active, featuring posts that highlight her affection for her dogs. She is set to appear in court for her arraignment hearing on April 22.
USUnited States

Cybersecurity Professor Xiaofeng Wang and Wife Missing Amid FBI Investigation

Xiaofeng Wang, a cybersecurity professor at Indiana University, has mysteriously disappeared along with his wife, Nianli Ma. Their profiles were erased from the university's website shortly before FBI agents conducted raids on their homes in Bloomington and Carmel, Indiana, on March 31, 2025. The FBI confirmed it executed court-authorized searches but provided no further comment regarding the nature of the investigation. Wang, recognized for his extensive work in cryptography and data privacy, has held a significant position at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, managing research projects totaling approximately $23 million over his 21-year career. Both he and Ma had their digital presence removed just weeks before the FBI's actions, leaving unanswered questions about their employment status and the reason behind the investigation. Concerns among peers have escalated, with Matthew Green, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, expressing alarm over Wang’s disappearance and the unusual removal of his online profiles. Indiana University officials have refrained from commenting, while the FBI has not disclosed details about any potential charges or detentions related to Wang or Ma.
USUnited States

Scientists Discover Galaxy That Shouldn’t Exist, Challenging Cosmic Models

Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have observed the galaxy JADES-GS-z13-1, dating back only 330 million years after the Big Bang, a time when the universe was thought to be opaque. This finding, as reported in the journal Nature, raises questions about our understanding of cosmic history since such early light emissions should be concealed by neutral hydrogen, which absorbs light. Despite prevailing theories, the JWST detected clear Lyman-alpha emissions from GS-z13-1, indicating that the galaxy may be a prolific source of ionizing photons, potentially stemming from massive, luminous Population III stars or an active supermassive black hole at its core. NASA and ESA researchers explained that the early reionization of the surrounding neutral hydrogen may have allowed its light to escape. The discovery poses a significant challenge to astrophysicists, who expected Lyman-alpha emissions to emerge only after a billion years post-Big Bang, highlighting the complexity of universe formation and the need for further exploration.
USUnited States