Investigators searched for food and water containers after learning of Julia Pederson’s concerns before her husband was charged with murder.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pediatrician Dr. Julia Pederson feared her husband might be drugging her shortly before authorities say he killed her, a concern that has led investigators to search the couple’s Harrisburg home for food, water containers and other possible evidence, according to the Dauphin County district attorney.
District Attorney Fran Chardo said Pederson, 41, had an appointment for bloodwork the day before her death because she was worried she had been drugged, but she did not make it to the appointment. Investigators returned to the Green Street home on Oct. 16 with a search warrant and looked for bottles of water, other water containers, food containers and additional items that might be relevant. Authorities have not announced any toxicology or laboratory result confirming that Pederson was drugged, and her concern remains an unresolved part of the investigation.
Pederson died after firefighters were called to a reported house fire at the family’s home in the 2900 block of Green Street at about 7:05 a.m. Oct. 10. Firefighters found her unresponsive in a lower-level bedroom and performed lifesaving measures before she was taken to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, according to court records reported by local news organizations.
Investigators soon concluded that the fire had not caused Pederson’s death. A Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal determined that the blaze had been intentionally set, according to an affidavit of probable cause. An autopsy performed Oct. 13 determined that Pederson died from multiple traumatic injuries and ruled her death a homicide. Court records state that investigators believe she died before the fire began.
Pederson’s husband, Jonathan Gatto, 41, has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated arson, arson, abuse of a corpse, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors allege that Gatto strangled Pederson and then deliberately started the fire. The charges are allegations, and Gatto has not been convicted.
The couple’s 7-year-old daughter was sleeping upstairs during the events described by investigators. Gatto told police that smoke detectors later woke him and that he immediately went to his daughter’s room, took her outside and called 911. He told investigators that he then returned to the house to try to reach Pederson but burned his hand near her bedroom before going back outside. Investigators allege that forensic evidence established Pederson had already died before the fire was set.
Gatto also gave investigators an account of Pederson feeling ill before her death. According to the affidavit, he said she had recently begun taking medication for migraines and had come home from work feeling sick on Oct. 9. He said she did not take their daughter to a planned ballet class that day. Later that night, Gatto said he heard a loud noise that sounded like someone falling down stairs but did not find anyone when he looked.
According to the affidavit, Gatto told police that he later heard Pederson respond before her bedroom door closed. He said he set an alarm for about 2 a.m. so he could bring her ibuprofen. Gatto told investigators that Pederson appeared startled when he entered the room and did not want the medication. Authorities have not publicly said whether those statements relate to Pederson’s earlier fear that she might have been drugged.
The district attorney’s disclosure about Pederson’s concerns has added a separate forensic question to a case that initially centered on her death and the intentionally set fire. Investigators have not disclosed what, if anything, was taken from the home during the later search. They also have not announced whether toxicology testing detected a substance Pederson did not knowingly take or whether evidence recovered during the search could lead to additional charges.
Authorities have said Pederson and Gatto were preparing to separate. Gatto told investigators their marriage was not going well and that the couple had been discussing when and how to tell their daughter about the separation. Chardo has said investigators believe the breakdown of the marriage is relevant to the homicide investigation, but prosecutors have not publicly established that Pederson’s reported fear of being drugged was connected to the alleged killing.
Pederson worked as a pediatrician with UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics, serving families in the Harrisburg and Camp Hill areas. She graduated from Harvard University and later earned her medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine before completing pediatric residency training at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, according to biographical information reported after her death. UPMC said Pederson had devoted her career to caring for children and supporting families.
Gatto remains in custody without bail, according to court records reported by local media. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 28 in Dauphin County. Investigators continue to examine evidence from the Green Street home, including the circumstances surrounding Pederson’s reported concern that she was being drugged. No forensic finding confirming that allegation had been publicly announced as of Sunday.
Author note: Last updated October 18, 2026.