The Michigan Wolverines are in deep mourning this week after the tragic and shocking death of one of their own: Joseph Hertgen.
Hertgen, who played soccer at Michigan from 2016-19, was found dead in a Princeton, New Jersey, apartment on Saturday.
Hertgen did not die from natural causes. Rather, it is being reported he was killed by his older brother, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a statement on Monday.
Matthew Hertgen, Joseph’s older brother, called 911 on Saturday night, and by the time cops got to the apartment, Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene.
Matthew Hertgen has since been arrested.
Mercer County prosecutor Janetta Marbrey later stated in a press release that 27-year-old Joseph Hertgen showed signs of blunt-force trauma and various lacerations.
31-year-old Matthew Hertgen is also being charged with various counts of third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses after being found with a knife and a golf club, in addition to one third-degree county of animal cruelty.
Cops discovered a dead cat in the Michelle Mews Apartments complex.
If convicted, he faces up to 30 years to life in prison.
In high school, Joseph made the all-state team in 2015 and was twice named offensive player of the year and MVP.
Once at Michigan, he would become a three-time Academic All-Big Ten. He would go on to graduate with a bachelor’s in finance and accounting from Michigan University’s Stephen M. Ross Business School.
Actual Cause of Death For Joseph Hertgen And Motivation Is Unknown
Matthew Hertgen, a former college soccer star, has been arrested for murdering his little brother and his cat at a luxurious apartment building in New Jersey.
Hertgen has been charged with first-degree murder, various weapons offenses, and animal cruelty for killing his 26-year-old brother, Joseph Hertgen.
Police believe Matthew, who attended Wesleyan University, used a knife and a golf club to brutally assault and murder his brother.
The cause and manner of Joseph’s death are pending the results of an autopsy.
Also unknown is the motivation for one brother to savagely kill his own sibling.
