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The widows at Hockey, who played brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, had an emotional conversation discussing their men’s tragic deaths almost a year after they were killed by an alleged drunk driver.
Meredith Gaudreau, the widow of NHL star Johnny, and Madeline Gaudreau, the widow of Matthew, sat down with ABC News, revealing their last messages to their loved ones at the funeral last September.
“Our children did not deserve this,” Meredith said as tears fell into her face. “John and Matty didn’t even deserve that, especially the way it happened. There’s no healing when you didn’t get goodbye. It holds me up at night.”
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Meredith Gaudreau with his children, Noa and Johnny, arrive at St. Mary Magdalen Parish for the funeral service for her husband, Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey player Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau. The brothers died after being hit by a drunk driver while riding bicycles on August 29. (Adam Cairns/USA Today Network via Imag images)
Meredith was pregnant with their third child when Johnny and Matthew were killed. She promised to take care of their children – daughter Noah and sons Johnny and Carter, the latter of whom was born in April 2025 – during her last goodbye to her husband at his funeral.
She also “thanks him for such a great life,” she told ABC News.
Judge in New Jersey rejects defense defense Defense Gaudreau Brothers’ drink contributed to their deaths
Meredith announced during her eulogy at the funeral that she was expecting their third child born on April 1st.
Madeline was also pregnant with her and Matteus first child who was named Tripp Matthew. He was born in December 2024, three months after the tragic death.
“I can’t even remember. Maybe I was four months pregnant at the time,” Madeline said. “Tripp kicked a lot, so I just held Matt’s hand on my stomach for TRIPP. I wouldn’t say goodbye to any of them because I know I want to see them again one day.”
Meredith remembered the last time she saw Johnny too.
Meredith Gaudreau goes towards the stadium before the 2025 NHL Stadium series at Ohio Stadium between Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings on March 1, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
“He kissed us all goodbye – right in the driveway of his parents’ house, and that was the last time I saw him,” she said.
Johnny was 31 years old and Matthew was 28 years old when they died while riding bikes on a road in Salem County, New Jersey. That was the day before their sister, Katie, was to be married on August 29, 2024.
Sean Higgins is the man accused of the brothers. He was arrested and charged with two counts of worsened killings, two counts of vehicle murder, evidence and left the stage with an accident.
Police noticed that Higgins had a blood alcohol level of 0.087 over New Jersey’s legal limit to operate, and he failed a field -accuracy test. Police also said Higgins was running aggressively, which included faster driving around in several vehicles as he hit the brothers.
Meredith Gaudreau holds her daughter, Noah, during a commemorative ceremony for her husband, former Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, before the start of the game between Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers in the Nationwide Arena on October 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver on August 29, 2024. (Kirk Irwin/NHLI via Getty Images)
In April, a judge rejected the defense’s claim that the brothers’ own drink contributed to their death. Superior Court judge Michael Silvanio made the decision after two hours of arguments were heard, and eventually all charges against Higgins.
Higgins, 44, rejected the prosecutor’s offer of 35 years in prison in January. He could have up to 70 years in prison if he was found guilty of all charges.
