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The widows of hockey playing the brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau had an emotional interview discussing the tragic death of their husband almost a year after being killed by an alleged drunk driver.
Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of the NHL star, Johnny, and Madeline Gaudreau, the widow of Matthew, met ABC News, where they revealed their final messages to their loved ones during the funeral last September.
“Our children did not deserve it,” said Meredith while tears fell on his face. “John and Matty did not even deserve it, especially the way it happened. There is no healing when you didn’t have to see again. It stands at night.”
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Meredith Gaudreau with his children, Noa and Johnny, arrives at the parish of St. Mary Madelem for her husband’s funeral, the Hockey Blue Jackets of Columbus, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. The brothers died after being struck by a drunk driver while bicycle on August 29. (Adam Cairns / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Meredith was pregnant with their third child when Johnny and Matthew were killed. She promised to take care of their children – her daughter Noa, and the sons Johnny and Carter, the latter born in April 2025 – during her last farewell to her husband during her funeral.
She “also thanks him for such a big life,” she told ABC News.
New Jersey judge rejects the claims of the defense that the consumption of the Gaudreau brothers contributed to their death
Meredith announced during her praise during the funeral that she was waiting for their third child, born on April 1.
Madeline was also pregnant with herself and the first child of Matthew, who was called Tripp Matthew. He was born in December 2024, three months after tragic death.
“I don’t even remember. Maybe I was four months pregnant at the time,” said Madeline. “Tripp gave a lot of kicks, so I held Matt’s hand on my belly for Tripp. I didn’t mean goodbye to one or the other because I know that I will see them again.”
Meredith recalled the last time she had also seen Johnny.
Meredith Gaudreau heads towards the stadium before the NHL 2025 series at the Ohio stadium between the Blue Jackets of Columbus and the Red Wings of Detroit on March 01, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jeff Dean / Getty Images)
“He kissed us all goodbye-just in the aisle of his parents’ house, and it was the last time I saw him,” she said.
Johnny was 31 years old and Matthew was 28 years old when they died when they were cycling on a road in Salem County, New Jersey. It was the day before that their sister, Katie, was to marry on August 29, 2024.
Sean Higgins is the man accused of the death of the brothers. He was arrested and charged with two guilty manslaughter, two homicide managers per vehicle, falsified evidence and leaving the scene of an accident.
The police noted that Higgins had a blood alcohol level of 0.087, above the legal limit of New Jersey to drive, and he failed a sobriety test on the ground. Police also said that Higgins drove aggressively, which included a speed to drive several vehicles when he hit the brothers.
Meredith Gaudreau holds his daughter, Noa, during a memory ceremony for her husband, the former player of Columbus Blue Jackets Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, before the start of the match between the Blue Jackets of Columbus and the Florida Panthers in National Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver on August 29, 2024. (Kirk Irwin / NHLI via Getty Images)
In April, a judge rejected the affirmation of the defense that the consumption of the brothers contributed to their death. The judge of the Superior Court, Michael Silvanio, made the decision after two hours of arguments were heard, finally deciding that all the accusations against Higgins would be confirmed.
Higgins, 44, refused to offer the accusation of 35 years in prison in January. He could incur up to 70 years in prison if he was found guilty for all accusations.
