Heartfelt Tribute to Tragically Lost Brothers and Their Heartbroken Family.
The tragic loss of two brothers from New Jersey has sent shockwaves through their family and friends, as well as the broader hockey community. Johnny Gaudreau, a star for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother Matthew were fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver on August 29, just one day before Johnny was set to marry his fiancée Katie Gaudreau. The couple had been planning their wedding in Gloucester City, NJ, but sadly had to cancel their nuptials after the tragic incident left them heartbroken and devastated.
Johnny’s would-be brother-in-law, Devin Joyce, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram vowing to “take the absolute best care” of his little sister, Katie Gaudreau, following the loss of her brothers. Alongside photos of the family, Joyce wrote: “I promise to take the absolute best care of your little sister and I know when the day comes you will be with us on that day.
Joyce and Katie Gaudreau had planned their wedding for August 30, but in a cruel twist of fate, they were forced to cancel at the last minute following the tragic deaths of her brothers. Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling in Salem County, NJ.
The heartbroken sister also penned her own tribute on Instagram, highlighting the unbreakable bond between the siblings and the impact their loss would have on the family. She wrote, “To know these two was to love these two. There are absolutely no words I have to express the bond my family shared.
The brothers were to be groomsmen in the wedding, while their sister Kristen Venello was set to be maid of honor. In an ironic turn of events, Johnny Gaudreau had recently signed a seven-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in July 2022, and his younger brother Matthew was also a hockey player having most recently played for the Worcester Railers.
The suspected drunk driver, Sean Higgins of Woodstown, NJ, has been arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto. Police stated that Higgins had tried to pass two slow-moving vehicles and hit the brothers from behind while they were riding their bikes. Johnny leaves behind his wife, Meredith, and their children, Noa, almost 2, and Johnny, 6 months. Matthew’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, is pregnant with the couple’s first child, “Baby Tripp,” due this December.
The tragic loss of these two brothers has left a deep impact on their family and friends, as well as the broader hockey community. Devin Joyce’s heartfelt tribute underscores the importance of looking out for one another, especially in times of tragedy.
