Husband charged with murdering pediatrician wife and setting house fire while daughter slept
Jonathan Gatto, 42, was charged with first-degree murder after his wife, pediatrician Julia Pederson, was found dead and the home ablaze while their 7-year-old daughter slept.
A Harrisburg affidavit alleges that Jonathan Gatto, 42, strangled his wife, Dr. Julia Pederson, 41, a well-known pediatrician at UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics, and then set their home on fire while their 7-year-old daughter was asleep. Gatto told police he was roused by a smoke alarm and saw a small fire in a downstairs bedroom, saying he got his daughter out before calling 911. Blood analysis later showed Pederson had died before the fire began.
In addition to first-degree murder, Gatto is charged with arson, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and endangering the welfare of children. The coroner ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple traumatic injuries, and UPMC expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the beloved doctor.
Why it matters
The case highlights a tragic domestic homicide and raises concerns about child safety and domestic violence.
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