Jonathan Gatto charged with murder of pediatrician wife in Pennsylvania fire

Jonathan Gatto, 42, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated arson, and abuse of a corpse following the death of his wife, pediatrician Julia Pederson, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

According to court documents and affidavits, Gatto allegedly strangled Pederson before intentionally setting fire to their family home on Saturday. While Gatto initially claimed to police that he woke up to a smoke alarm and attempted to rescue his wife and their 7-year-old daughter, investigators determined that Pederson had already died from multiple traumatic injuries before the fire began.

During police interviews, Gatto reportedly admitted that the couple was facing marital difficulties and was planning to separate. In addition to murder and arson, Gatto faces charges of tampering with evidence and endangering the welfare of a child.