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A highly-regarded pediatrician, mother and wife was murdered by her husband, investigators say.
Julia Pederson, 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was killed after police say her husband, Jonathan Gatto, 41, strangled her inside the family’s home and intentionally set it on fire.
Authorities said the fire happened on Saturday, Oct. 10. Four days later, Gatto was arrested and charged with murder and arson, among other charges.
Julia Pederson, 41, was killed when police say her husband strangled her then set the family’s home on fire in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Ever Loved Obituary, Abbey Pederson)
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The Harrisburg Bureau of Police said, “The investigation ultimately revealed that the death of the victim, a 41-year-old female, was not caused by a fire.”
Reports say the couple’s 7-year-old daughter was also sleeping in an upstairs bedroom at the time of the incident, according to KATV.
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Jonathan Gatto, 41, is facing murder and arson charges after he allegedly killed his wife and set the home on fire. (Harrisburg Bureau of Police)
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Pederson was an American Board of Pediatrics-certified pediatrician who earned her medical degree from the Stanford University School of Medicine. She earned her undergrad from Harvard University.
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Gatto is accused of intentionally setting his Harrisburg home on fire. (Google Maps)
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The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Community Pediatrics posted on Facebook that Pederson had started her position there in February.
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In a statement sent to Digital, a spokesperson for UPMC CCP said:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Dr. Julia Pederson, a beloved pediatrician and valued member of our UPMC 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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and loved ones, and ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
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Prior to her recent position, she provided pediatric care across various organizations in Pennsylvania, California and Chicago.
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An obituary for Pederson says, “Through her medical career, Julia devoted herself to the health and well-being of children, providing care and support to the families who placed their trust in her.”
Friends and family are pouring in tributes and sharing memories after Julia Pederson’s tragic death. (Ever Loved Obituary: Shannon Itoyama)
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Gatto is currently sitting in a Dauphin County jail cell with no bond. His next court date is Oct. 28.
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