HARRISBURG, Pa. —
A Dauphin County man is accused of strangling his wife, a UPMC doctor, to death before setting her body on fire inside their home, according to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.
Authorities identified the suspect as 41-year-old Jonathan Gatto.
Harrisburg Bureau of Police
Jonathan Gatto
Fire reported at Harrisburg home
Emergency crews responded to the couple’s home in the 2900 block of Green Street around 7:05 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, according to court documents.
Firefighters saw light smoke coming from the home before finding Julia Pederson in a first-floor bedroom, the affidavit stated.
Police said first responders performed CPR before taking Pederson to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators say fire was intentionally set
Investigators described the fire as “very small.”
A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal examined the scene and determined that the fire had been intentionally set, according to court documents.
Gatto told police marriage was ‘not good’
Police interviewed Gatto at the Harrisburg police station.
“During the interview, Gatto indicated that his marriage with Julia Pederson was not good,” the affidavit stated. “He indicated that they were getting separated and they were trying to work together to come up with a time and how they were going to tell their 7-year-old daughter this news.”
Police said Gatto told investigators that Pederson had not been feeling well after recently starting medication for migraines. He said he heard a loud noise around 11 p.m. or midnight that sounded like someone falling down the stairs, according to the affidavit.
Gatto said he set an alarm for 2 a.m. to bring Pederson ibuprofen, but she told him she did not need anything, according to the documents. He said he later awoke to smoke detectors, took his daughter outside and called 911, police said.
Gatto told investigators he went back inside and attempted to reach Pederson but burned his hand when he opened her bedroom door, the affidavit stated. He said he then returned outside and waited for emergency crews.
“Any case like this is going to be devastating. With the domestic violence case, it can happen. These things occur suddenly and without any warning,” said Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo.
Autopsy shows Pederson died before fire
An autopsy conducted on Oct. 13 determined that Pederson died from multiple traumatic injuries before the fire was set, according to police. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Chardo said, “As we moved along before the autopsy, there were indicators that it was a criminal matter. The results of the autopsy confirm that.”
Investigators said Gatto strangled Pederson before setting her body on fire inside the home. Police noted their daughter was asleep in an upstairs bedroom at the time.
Charges
Gatto was charged with the following:
First-degree murderAbuse of a corpseTampering with or fabricating physical evidenceEndangering the welfare of a childArson involving danger of death or bodily injuryAggravated arson involving a person inside the property
He was denied bail and remains in Dauphin County Prison.
UPMC says Pederson was a ‘beloved pediatrician’
A UPMC spokesperson said Pederson was a doctor and member of its UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics team. They shared the following message with WGAL:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Dr. Julia Pederson, a beloved pediatrician and valued member of our UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics team. 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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and loved ones, and ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
This content is imported from infogram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.