A past athlete from the University of Michigan was discovered deceased over the weekend, and his elder brother has been accused of murder.
Joseph Hertgen, a soccer player for the Wolverines from 2016 to 2019, was discovered deceased in an apartment in Princeton, N.J. on Saturday evening. Hertgen’s 31-year-old brother Matthew placed the 911 call, allegedly informing the dispatcher about a fire and a deceased individual inside a home located on the 600 block of Michelle Mews Apartments in Palmer Square. When they arrived, officials discovered Matthew alongside Joseph Hertgen’s body.
Joseph was pronounced dead at the location, and his remains exhibited indications of cuts and blunt force injuries. On Monday, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office declared that Matthew Hertgen has been apprehended and is facing first-degree murder charges.
Moreover, Matthew, who competed in college soccer at Wesleyan, is encountering several third- and fourth-degree weapons charges for possessing a knife and a golf club, along with one third-degree charge of animal cruelty. A deceased cat was discovered at the location.
If found guilty, he could be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Joseph Hertgen was an exceptional soccer player and an all-state choice at Toms River North High School prior to his transition to Michigan. As a midfielder, he did not take part in any matches during his freshman year in 2016 and then was sidelined for the entire 2017 season due to an injury.
Joseph participated in two games for the Maize and Blue in 2018 but did not play during his senior year. Throughout his career, he earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times.
Joseph, a graduate of the esteemed Stephen M. Ross School of Business with a finance and accounting degree, served as a portfolio management analyst at the asset management firm Locus Point Capital located in Red Bank, N.J.
He formerly served as an asset management analyst at Trimont Real Estate Advisors in Dallas, Texas.
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