Police: Ivy League-educated pediatrician killed by her husband, who then set the house on fire

Julia Pederson, a UPMC pediatrician who studied at Stanford University, was allegedly strangled by her husband Jonathan Gatto before setting fire to their Harrisburg home.

Pennsylvania pediatrician stabbed at home

According to investigators, a pediatrician, his mother and his wife were murdered by her husband.

Julia Pederson, 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was killed after police say her husband, Jonathan Gatto, 41, strangled her inside the family home and set it on fire.

Officials said the fire broke out on Saturday, October 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 and then set fire to the family's home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Always love obituary, Abby Pederson)

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"The investigation ultimately determined that the death of the victim, a 41-year-old woman, was not caused by fire," the Harrisburg Police Department said.

According to KATV, reports indicate that the couple's 7-year-old daughter was also sleeping in an upstairs bedroom at the time of the incident.

Jonathan Gatto, 41, is facing murder and arson charges after allegedly killing his wife and setting the house on fire. (Harrisburg Police Department)

A Pittsburgh police officer was stabbed to death after a intruder attacked him and his wife as they slept.

Pederson was an American pediatrician who received his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. He received his BA from Harvard University.

Gatto is accused of setting fire to his home in Harrisburg. (Google Maps)

The University of Pittsburgh Pediatric Medical Center posted on Facebook that Pederson began his position there in February.

"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 dedicated her career to caring for children and supporting families, and her loss will be deeply felt by the colleagues, patients and communities she served. Privacy must be respected during this difficult time."

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Prior to her most recent position, she provided child care at various organizations in Pennsylvania, California, and Chicago.

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"Through her medical career, Julia devoted herself to the health and well-being of children and cared for and supported the families who trusted her," Pederson's obituary said.

Friends and family pay tribute and share memories after Julia Pederson's tragic death. (Always in Love Died: Shannon Itoyama)

Gatto currently sits in a Dauphin County jail cell without bond. His next court date is Oct. 28.

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