Ex-Footballer Who Committed Heinous Crime Against Brother Found Dead in Jail

A disturbing incident has come to light involving a former footballer, Matthew Hertgen, who was found dead in his cell at the Mercer County Jail in New Jersey. This development occurred on May 8, 2026, as confirmed by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. Although the official cause of death has not been disclosed, an autopsy report is pending. Hertgen, 31, had a history of violent behavior, notably the murder of his 26-year-old brother, Joseph Hertgen, in February 2025. The gruesome incident took place at their residence in Princeton, where Hertgen used a golf club to kill his brother, before proceeding to stab and beat him with knives and golf clubs. In a shocking turn of events, Hertgen mutilated Joseph's body, removing one of his eyeballs and consuming it. Additionally, he set the family cat on fire. Following the crime, Hertgen called 911 to report the body, and upon the arrival of the police, he was arrested. The trial of Hertgen concluded on May 8, 2026, with the verdict that he was not criminally responsible for the murder due to insanity. According to forensic psychologist Dr. Gianni Pirelli, Hertgen suffered from schizophrenia and experienced 'prophetic and divine visions.' Hertgen believed that the world was on the verge of ending and that only a 'sacrificial murder' could prevent it. Prior to his death, Hertgen had attempted suicide within the Mercer County Jail, approximately a week after his arrest. He is survived by his parents, David Smith and Debra Ann Hertgen, and his elder brother, David. In their obituary, the family remembered Hertgen as a 'caring and loving person' who struggled with severe mental health issues in his later years. They expressed that he showed remorse and repentance in various ways. The family has encouraged donations to NAMI Mercer, a non-profit organization that supports residents of Mercer County affected by mental illness.