From Law & Crime · · 2m
Man strangles doctor wife to death, sets body on fire with 7-year-old daughter inside home
Pennsylvania man kills doctor wife by strangulation, sets her body on fire while 7-year-old daughter sleeps in home.
In brief
Pennsylvania man kills doctor wife by strangulation, sets her body on fire while 7-year-old daughter sleeps in home. Pennsylvania man Jonathan Gatto choked his wife Julia Pederson to death and set her body on fire with their 7-year-old daughter inside the home. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Man strangles wife to death
Jonathan Gatto, 41, stands accused of murdering his doctor wife Julia Pederson, 41, by strangulation.
“A Pennsylvania man choked his wife to death and set her body on fire with their 7-year-old daughter sleeping inside the home as the couple's failing marriage neared separation, authorities say.”
Gatto charged with arson and child endangerment
Gatto faces murder, arson, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and endangering the welfare of a child charges.
“Jonathan Gatto, 41, stands accused of murder, arson, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in the death of Dr. Julia Pederson, also 41. He's also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.”
Fire discovered in Harrisburg home
Cops and firefighters responded to a fire in the 2900 block of Green Street in Harrisburg around 7 a.m. on Oct. 10.
“Cops and firefighters responded to a fire in the 2900 block of Green Street in Harrisburg around 7 a.m. on Oct. 10. Crews quickly extinguished the blaze and found Pederson's body.”
Pederson's body found before fire
An investigation found that Pederson died before the fire, which was intentionally set in a bedroom.
“An investigation found that the victim died before the fire, which was intentionally set in a bedroom, cops said.”
Gatto claims marriage was failing
Gatto told police their marriage was on the rocks and they planned to separate but needed to decide how to tell their daughter.
“According to a criminal complaint obtained by local CBS affiliate WHP, Gatto told police in an interview that their marriage was on the rocks and they had planned to separate. The only thing stopping them was deciding how they were going to break the news to their daughter, cops reportedly wrote.”
Gatto tried to give ibuprofen
Gatto said he tried to give his wife ibuprofen around 2 a.m. but she was startled when he walked in.
“The defendant said he tried to give his wife ibuprofen around 2 a.m., but she was startled when he walked in, so he went back to sleep, the affidavit said.”
Gatto heard falling sound
Gatto heard what sounded like someone falling down the stairs but didn't see anything later that night.
“Later that night, he said he heard what sounded like someone falling down the stairs but didn't see anything, per the complaint.”
Gatto checked on Pederson
Gatto checked on Pederson but she retreated into her bedroom.
“He checked on Pederson, but she retreated into her bedroom, he reportedly told cops.”
Gatto awoke to smoke alarms
Gatto awoke around 7 a.m. after the smoke alarms went off.
“He reportedly awoke around 7 a.m. after the smoke alarms went off.”
Gatto tried to save wife
Gatto rushed to get his daughter out of her room and tried to save his wife but was unable to reach her due to the fire.
“He rushed to get his daughter out of her room and tried to save his wife but said he was unable to reach her because of the fire, the complaint reportedly said.”
Pederson was pediatrician
Pederson, a pediatrician, attended many top institutions including Stanford and Harvard and completed her residency at Northwestern's Lurie Children's Hospital.
“Pederson, a pediatrician, attended many of the country's top institutions, including Stanford and Harvard, and completed her residency at Northwestern's Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, a GoFundMe started by her sister said.”
Pederson's sister described her
Pederson's sister described her as someone who cherished simple joys like exploring nature preserves, reading, and learning to crochet.
“"Beyond her career, Julia cherished the simple joys of life. She lived in Harrisburg with her family and enjoyed exploring local nature preserves, reading, and learning to crochet," her sister wrote.”
Pederson's hospital statement
Pederson's hospital described her as a doctor who devoted her career to caring for children and supporting families.
“"Dr. Pederson devoted her career to caring for children and supporting families, and her loss is felt deeply by colleagues, patients, and communities she served," the hospital said in a statement to local media.”
Gatto remains in prison
Gatto remains at the Dauphin County Prison without bond and has a court date set for Oct. 28.
“Gatto remains at the Dauphin County Prison without bond. His next court date is set for Oct. 28.”
In short
Pennsylvania man Jonathan Gatto choked his wife Julia Pederson to death and set her body on fire with their 7-year-old daughter inside the home.
