The husband of a Pennsylvania physician allegedly strangled her and set her body on fire while their seven-year-old daughter slept nearby.
Dr. Julia Pederson, a 41-year-old pediatrician with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, was found dead at about 7:05 a.m. Saturday after a fire broke out at a home on the 2900 block of Green Street in Harrisburg, roughly 100 miles west of Philadelphia.
Harrisburg police said their investigation determined that Pederson did not die as a result of the fire.
Jonathan Gatto, 42, was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree murder in connection with his wife’s death.
He also faces charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, endangering the welfare of children, arson and aggravated arson.
According to an affidavit reviewed by WGAL, Gatto told investigators that he and Pederson planned to separate after experiencing problems in their marriage. The couple had been discussing how to explain the separation to their daughter.
Gatto allegedly said he was suddenly awakened by smoke detectors and ran to a downstairs bedroom to retrieve the seven-year-old girl.
He told police that he went back for Pederson but burned his hand while attempting to enter the room, according to the affidavit. Blood testing indicated that Pederson was already dead when the fire began.
Dr. Julia Pederson, 41, was found dead Saturday after a small fire broke out at a home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg police said investigators determined that Pederson’s death was not caused by the fire. Her husband, 42-year-old Jonathan Gatto, was arrested and charged with murder
Gatto also allegedly told police that Pederson had been unwell on October 9 after beginning a new medication for migraines.
At about 11 p.m. or midnight, he claimed he heard a loud noise that sounded like someone falling down the stairs, according to the affidavit.
Gatto said he asked whether Pederson was all right. She allegedly mumbled a response and shut the bedroom door, WHP reported.
Investigators also reportedly learned that Gatto returned to the bedroom at about 2 a.m. to give his wife ibuprofen.
Pederson was allegedly startled when he entered, prompting Gatto to return to bed, according to the legal document.
When the smoke detectors later woke him, Gatto claimed that flames inside the bedroom prevented him from reaching Pederson.
He then waited outside for emergency responders, according to the affidavit.
An autopsy performed Tuesday determined that Pederson suffered fatal traumatic injuries before the fire. Her death was classified as a homicide.
Investigators described the blaze as “very small.” After examining the scene, a Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal concluded that it had been deliberately set.
DON’T MISS: Bystander Kills Oregon Elementary School Teen Gunman After Rampage
Firefighters saw light smoke coming from the home, according to the affidavit.
First responders performed CPR on Pederson and then rushed her to the Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, where she was declared dead.
Gatto allegedly told police that Pederson had not been feeling well after starting to take new medication for her migraines
Gatto told police that he woke up to smoke detectors going off at the home on the 2900 block of Green Street
A GoFundMe fundraiser started by Pederson’s sister, Abbey, noted that her daughter was in the second grade.
The fundraiser looked to cover funeral expenses and establish a scholarship fund for the little girl’s future. As of Thursday, about $23,800 had been raised.
Pederson was a Harvard University graduate who received her medical degree from Stanford’s School of Medicine and did her pediatric residency at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) told CBS21 on Tuesday that it was ‘deeply saddened’ by Pederson’s death.
UPMC called Pederson a ‘beloved pediatrician’ and a ‘valued member’ of its 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,’ the statement continued.
Pederson joined the hospital in February, according to a Facebook post from UPMC.
Pederson was remembered as a ‘beloved pediatrician’ with a daughter in the second grade after her death
Fran Chardo, the Dauphin County district attorney, called the circumstances around Pederson’s death ‘devastating.’
‘With the domestic violence case, it can happen,’ Chardo said, according to WGAL. ‘These things occur suddenly and without any warning.’
Gatto has been denied bail. He remained at Dauphin County Prison as of Wednesday, according to Pennsylvania court records viewed by Our News Outlet.
He is scheduled to appear in court on October 28 for a preliminary hearing.
Gatto did not have an attorney listed in court records. Legal filings said he had not requested a public defender.
Our News Outlet has reached out to the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office and the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office for further comment.
