Pennsylvania Pediatrician Allegedly Drugged Before Husband Murdered Her, Set Fire
Investigators revealed the pediatrician had told relatives she felt drugged and unwell in the weeks leading up to her death, shortly before her husband was charged with her murder.
A Pennsylvania pediatrician had claimed she felt "drugged" in the weeks before her husband allegedly murdered her and set her body on fire while their young daughter slept nearby, investigators revealed.
Dr. Julia Pederson, 41, was found dead around 7:05 a.m. on October 10 in Harrisburg after a fire broke out at the couple's home. A medical examiner later ruled her death a homicide, stating she died before the fire. Her estranged husband, Jonathan Gatto, 42, has been accused of strangling his wife and was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse, among other offenses.
A search warrant obtained by PennLive revealed that Pederson had told relatives she felt "drugged" and was experiencing grogginess in the days leading up to her death. In a message sent on September 10, Pederson informed her mother that she could barely walk and feared she had been drugged. She also stated she had to cancel five patient appointments due to feeling unwell.
According to the warrant, one of Pederson's colleagues told investigators that Gatto and the couple's seven-year-old daughter would drop off drinks for Pederson daily, despite her not wanting them. The colleague reported that Pederson would become lethargic, experience migraine symptoms, and feel dizzy after consuming these beverages.
On October 9, the day before she was found, Pederson had to lie down on her office floor. She had scheduled bloodwork for the following day but never made the appointment as she was discovered deceased.
Investigators requested DNA samples from all family members and sought to collect "any and all water bottles, water containers, and food containers that may have been used" by the doctor. The warrant also indicated a search for "flammable liquid containers and/or flammable chemicals," security camera footage, and paperwork regarding the couple's relationship.
On October 13, Gatto was arrested and denied bail due to the severity of the charges. He is currently being held at the Dauphin County Prison. An autopsy conducted the same day found that Pederson died from multiple traumatic injuries.
Two days after Gatto's arrest, the district attorney and Harrisburg Police, accompanied by an officer from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), were seen at the home. The ATF is a federal agency that investigates arson cases. Investigators were observed carrying out cardboard boxes and paper bags from the residence.
Gatto told police during an interview that the couple intended to separate due to marital struggles and were deciding how to inform their daughter, according to an affidavit seen by WGAL. He claimed he woke to smoke detectors and rushed to get their daughter from a downstairs bedroom. Gatto stated he returned for Pederson but burned his hand trying to enter the room.
According to the affidavit, Gatto also claimed Pederson had not been feeling well on October 9 after starting new medication for migraines. He reported hearing a loud sound around 11 p.m. or midnight, resembling someone falling down stairs. When he asked if she was okay, she allegedly mumbled and closed the bedroom door. Legal documents indicate Gatto returned to the bedroom around 2 a.m. to offer ibuprofen, but Pederson was startled, and he returned to bed.
When Gatto later woke to the smoke detectors again, he stated he was unable to reach Pederson due to the blaze inside the bedroom and waited for emergency crews outside. Firefighters observed light smoke coming from the home. A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal determined the fire had been intentionally set.
First responders performed CPR on Pederson and transported her to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Pederson was a Harvard University graduate with a medical degree from Stanford's School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) called Pederson a "beloved pediatrician" and a "valued member" of its Children's Community Pediatrics team, adding that her loss is deeply felt by colleagues, patients, and the communities she served.