Hillsborough Township Man Charged With The Beating Death Of His Parents

Saturday, January 31, 2026, 7:45 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ.- Earlier this month, following a months-long investigation, a 37-year-old Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, man was formally charged with allegedly beating his mother and father to death last September inside their Hillsborough Township, New Jersey home.

     According to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, just shortly after 4:00 p.m., members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department responded to a request to conduct a welfare check at a residence located on Cornell Trail in the Township.

     Upon arrival, Responding Police Officers attempted to contact the residents but received no response. At approximately 6:24 p.m., Police Officers made entry into the home. While Police Officers were on the second floor of the home, they encountered Patrick J. Lin, 37, of Hillsborough Township, armed with a weapon. After refusing to drop the weapon, Lin apparently ran toward Police Officers armed with the weapon, which led to two Police Officers firing their service firearms at Lin, striking him. Police Officers immediately provided medical assistance to Lin, and he was transported to an area trauma center, where he was listed in critical condition.

     During an initial search of the residence, Police Officers located the lifeless bodies of an adult male and an adult woman. Both victims were subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.

     During the ensuing investigation, the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victims as David Lin, 69, and Jean Lin, 69, husband and wife, and the parents of Lin. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of Death to be Blunt Force Trauma and the Manner of Death to be Homicide. Further, Detectives determined that Lin’s son, Patrick J. Lin, was responsible for allegedly killing his parents.

     According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation remains ongoing and is being conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Hillsborough Township Police Department, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

     As a result of the continuing investigation, on Friday, January 16, 2026, Detectives formally charged Lin with two counts of first-degree Murder; one count of first-degree Attempted Murder; and two counts of third-degree Possession of a weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Lin was served with the complaint warrant at an area hospital, where he remains listed in stable condition and is currently being guarded by members of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

     Upon release from the hospital, Lin will be transported to the Somerset County Jail, where he will be detained pending future court proceedings in Somerset County Superior Court.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”