The preppy Princeton murder suspect accused of ripping out his little brother’s eyeball after beating and slashing him to death tried to kill himself in jail Thursday night, a law enforcement source told The Post.
Matthew Hertgen, 31 — who wore a suicide vest during a virtual court appearance earlier in the day — tried to take his own life behind bars at Mercer County Correction Center where he’s being held.
Hertgen allegedly beat and stabbed his 26-year-old brother, Joseph, to death with a golf club and a knife in their family’s luxury apartment Saturday night. He is facing murder charges for the gruesome slay in which he also set the family cat on fire and tore out his brother’s eyeball and ate it, police sources said.
If convicted of the heinous fratricide, he faces 30 years to life in prison.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
