Preppy Princeton killer who slayed brother and ate his eyeball found dead in jail cell
Matthew Hertgen, a man found not guilty by reason of insanity for murdering his brother, was discovered dead in his jail cell in New Jersey. His death is being investigated as a possible suicide, following a previous suicide attempt shortly after his arrest. Hertgen had a history of severe mental health issues, including schizophrenia and delusions of grandeur.
- ▪Matthew Hertgen was found dead in his jail cell at Mercer County Jail on May 8.
- ▪He was previously determined to be not criminally responsible for the murder of his brother Joseph.
- ▪Hertgen had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and believed he was experiencing prophetic visions.
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US News Preppy Princeton killer who slayed brother and ate his eyeball found dead in jail cell By David Spector Published May 23, 2026, 10:46 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google The preppy Princeton cannibal killer — who was determined to be not guilty by reason of insanity — was found dead in his New Jersey jail cell in an apparent suicide. Matthew Hertgen was found dead at Mercer County Jail May 8, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office told NJ.com, which revealed the death Friday. An official cause of death has not been released. He previously attempted to hang himself in his Mercer County Jail cell a week after his February 2025 arrest. 3 Matthew Hertgen was found dead in his jail cell.
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