A Princeton man accused of beating his brother to death and setting their family cat on fire has reportedly attempted suicide in his cell, a law enforcement source said.
Matthew Hertgen, 31, tried to take his own life by hanging himself at Mercer County Correction Center hours after he made a virtual court appearance in connection to the slaying of 26-year-old Joseph Hertgen.
The suspect stands accused of killing his younger brother with a golf club and a knife before ripping out his eyeball and trying to eat it.
He was also accused of killing the family’s cat after he set it on fire.
Joseph Hertgen’s family and friends gathered for his wake at the Silverton Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, a week after the slaying.
“He played on many sports teams, loved traveling with his friends, and always enjoyed a good game of ping pong or chess,” his obituary read.
“He was such a kind person, had a great love of life and his smile brightened every room.”
