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Pennsylvania Pediatrician Strangled, Home Set on Fire; Husband Charged
RePennsylvania Pediatrician Strangled, Home Set on Fire; Husband Charged
Julia Pederson, 41, a Harvard- and Stanford-trained pediatrician in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was strangled by her husband, who then set their family home on fire, police say. Jonathan Gatto, 41, was arrested four days later and charged with murder and arson. The couple's 7-year-old daughter was in an upstairs bedroom at the time.
A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pediatrician was strangled inside her family home and the house was then intentionally set on fire, and authorities have charged her husband with murder and arson in her death.
Julia Pederson, 41, was killed at the family's home, and investigators concluded the fire was not what caused her death. Jonathan Gatto, 41, was arrested four days after the fire and charged with murder and arson, among other counts, according to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.
Police said the investigation ultimately revealed that the death of the 41-year-old woman was not caused by the fire. The fire occurred on Saturday, Oct. 10, and Gatto was taken into custody the following Wednesday.
The couple's 7-year-old daughter was sleeping in an upstairs bedroom at the time of the incident, according to reports. The child's current condition and whereabouts were not disclosed in the police account.
Pederson was a board-certified pediatrician who earned her medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine and completed her undergraduate studies at Harvard University. She had recently joined the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children's Community Pediatrics, starting her position there in February, the practice said in a social media post.
UPMC Children's Community Pediatrics confirmed her role and issued a statement mourning her death. A spokesperson said the practice was deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Dr. Julia Pederson, describing her as a beloved pediatrician and valued member of the team.
The spokesperson said Pederson devoted her career to caring for children and supporting families, and that her loss is felt deeply by colleagues, patients and the communities she served. The practice extended condolences to her family, friends and loved ones and asked that their privacy be respected during a difficult time.
Before joining UPMC, Pederson provided pediatric care across various organizations in Pennsylvania, California and Chicago, according to an obituary. The obituary said that through her medical career she devoted herself to the health and well-being of children, providing care and support to the families who placed their trust in her.
Gatto is being held in a Dauphin County jail cell with no bond. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 28.
The case has drawn attention in the Harrisburg area and among the medical community, where Pederson was known for her work with young patients. The investigation into the circumstances of the fire and the death continues, and authorities have not released additional details about what led them to charge Gatto.
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