MERCER COUNTY, NJ - Matthew Hertgen, the man who ate his brother's eyeball after he killed him and set fire to his family cat, was found dead in a New Jersey jail on May 8, authorities confirmed.
The former college soccer player, who was 32-years-old, died at the Mercer County Jail, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement to NJ.com. Hertgen was found dead in the New Jersey jail in an apparent suicide. His cause of death is pending an autopsy.
The Wesleyan University alum previously attempted to kill himself a week after he was arrested in February 2025. Hertgen's death comes after a judge ruled in March that he was not legally responsible for his 26-year-old brother Joseph Hertgen's death on February 22, 2025, due to severe mental illness, PEOPLE reported.
The judge accepted that Hertgen was legally insane and scheduled a May hearing that would have determined his future custody. The New Jersey native had a documented history of escalating psychotic behavior, Dr. Gianni Pirelli, a forensic psychologist, testified in court.
Dr. Pirelli said that Hertgen experiences "prophetic and divine visions" of a religious and apocalyptic nature, at times believing that he was God or the anti-Christ, or that a "sacrificial murder" was necessary to save the world. "Anytime he closes his eyes, he's seeing tremendous visions,” Pirelli said of Matthew while testifying.
Hertgen faced a fist-degree murder charge and weapons offenses in connection with his brother's death, which occurred in a Princeton, New Jersey apartment as well as animal cruelty for killing a cat who lived in the residence.
He was accused of using a knife and golf club to attack Joseph before ripping out his eye ball and setting fire to the animal. He also ate his brother's eyeball. A plate and utensils smeared with blood, and a small cup filled with what appeared to be blood, were found inside the home, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE.
During the course of the investigation, officials spoke with Hertgen and Joseph's older brother, David Hertgen, who told them Matthew had been experiencing severe mental illness for five years and that he'd been "extremely distressed, despondent and experiencing terrifying visions" on the day of Joseph's death.
On the night of the murder, the older brother texted Joseph, telling him that Matthew was having "visions" and to let him know if he needed help. Joseph responded, "Will do," according to the affidavit.
In his obituary, Matthew's loved ones underscored his mental health struggles and remembered who he was during his upbringing. The family also encouraged donations for NAMI Mercer, a nonprofit that works with residents of Mercer County, New Jersey, that are affected by mental illness.
"Growing up, Matthew is remembered as a caring and loving person,” the obituary reads.
“He was blessed with a large and extended family who he enjoyed spending time with. Matthew attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut where he played soccer and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in microbiology and biochemistry. He went on to work as VP in a senior finance capacity for a telecom company for many years."
"During his later years, Matthew struggled with severe and profound mental health issues; yet he expressed sorrow, remorse, and repentance in many ways,” the obituary continues. “He departed with the love, friendship and forgiveness of his family and the eternal hope of salvation. May he rest in peace."
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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