Brothers Johnny and Matthew died before meeting their sons. Now, one widow has penned a letter.

On August 29, 2024 Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew decided to take an evening bike ride together near their hometown in Salem County, New Jersey. 

The two siblings were back home to attend their sister's wedding, where they were set to be groomsmen and their eldest sister, the maid of honour.

All was set for a beautiful wedding on Friday, August 30. 

But, the night before the big day, the two set out on their evening ride. Little did they know, it was the last thing they would ever do.

Johnny and Matthew were cycling on Country Route 551 North, just after 8pm, when an alleged drunk driver attempted to overtake another car and hit the brothers. Both were killed. 

In an instant, a happy family occasion was turned upside down, and the bride-to-be went from planning her dream wedding to her brothers' funerals in just one night.  

At the time, Johnny's wife, Meredith Gaudreau, was pregnant with her and Johnny's third child.

Now, on what would have been Johnny's first Father's Day as a father-of-three, Meredith has penned an emotional letter to her late husband.

Meredith penned a tribute to her late husband, Johnny. Image: Instagram/@meredithgaudreau_

In the tribute, which was shared via The Players' Tribune, Meredith remembered the day she and Johnny met.

"I had just finished a shift at the Children's Hospital … Tyler was having a birthday party and you know how my sister is, she wanted to have everyone over … I remember there was this knock on the door, so I got up and went to answer it. And it was you. You had those little brown eyes, and a fohawk."

Soon after, they started dating. The couple split their time between Meredith's home in Avalon and Johnny's in Calgary, where he played hockey. Eventually, Johnny popped the question.

"We went to the beach after dinner … you said, "Do you know how much I love you?"

"Yes, I love you, too."

"You said, "Do you know I can't wait for you to come to Calgary with me?"

"Yes, I'm excited."

"Then you grabbed my hand, and got down on one knee.

"And you said, "I have one more question."

It poured and poured for the week before their wedding, but the day of the ceremony had "the most beautiful sky [she'd] ever seen".

Meredith found out she was pregnant with their first child on her 30th birthday.

"I'll never forget the look on your face. You were beaming," she wrote.

When they welcomed their little girl, Noa, tears were pouring down Johnny's face.

"You loved her so much, so fast. Your season started a few days later, and Noa never missed a single home game of yours. Not even one. She loved watching you … She was your biggest fan. Biggest."

Noa wasn't even a year-and-a-half when Meredith and Johnny welcomed their second child, a boy named Johnny Jr.

Then, last summer, Meredith found out she was pregnant again. She remembers the exact moment she told Johnny.

"I looked at you, and your face went from pure shock to beaming again to disbelief to pure shock and beaming again. "Get over here, Reg!!" And you started hugging and kissing me so happily. "Three??? Are we nuts?? You're nuts, you know that!?"

Johnny would never get to meet his third child. For, a week later, Meredith received a call; her husband and his brother were gone.

She was in shock, "keeled over for days" and sick to her stomach.

"I thought of our baby inside of me. I couldn't stand up. I was awake and having nightmares … I looked at Noa and baby Johnny and I felt a pain that I hadn't felt before. Our two babies who have to grow up without their dad, without their amazing uncle."

Now, almost a year on from Johnny's death, Meredith sees her late husband in her kids every day.

"Noa is so competitive, just like you … And she looks exactly like you. She asked to call you the other day. She doesn't quite understand what happened. I tell her you're in heaven and that we can look at photos and videos. It crushes me every time."

Their youngest son, Carter, is also a carbon copy of Johnny.

"I wish so badly that you could meet your son. That he could feel your touch," she wrote.

"And Johnny [Jr] … He's got your personality … And I bet he's going to be a sweet guy, just like you. (He doesn't look like you though!!! Haha.)

"You were the sweetest boyfriend, the greatest husband, and the best father. You wanted everything to be about me and the kids. You would have done anything for them. I know that. And they will know it, too. I promise, John.

"You were the best spouse, my life partner forever.

"Happy first Father's Day as a father of three," she finished the letter.

The Gaudreau family. Image: Instagram/kgaudreau13

Who were Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau? 

Both brothers had been notable hockey players at Boston College.

While in college, Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2014 which is a recognition given to the best college hockey player and after graduating was drafted by the Calgary Flames. He was known during his career as "Johnny Hockey" and eventually signed a contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022. 

Matthew graduated in 2017 and played for several minor league teams including Worcester Railers in 2022. According to Elite Prospects, he also worked as the head coach for their high school team Gloucester Catholic High in New Jersey.

The Columbus Blue Jackets shared a statement to X on August 30, following the boys' deaths.

"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew." 

Johnny Gaudreau #13 and Matthew Gaudreau #21 of the Boston College Eagles celebrate after the Eagles beat the Northeastern University Huskies. Image: Getty

The brothers also had happy personal lives. Johnny was married to Meredith Gaudreau and the couple shared two children, a daughter named Noa and son named Johnny.

Matthew was also married, for three years to Madeline Gaudreau.

According to Us Weekly, during the funeral speeches, the brother's wives revealed an even more tragic detail about their passing.

A funeral speech breaks hearts everywhere. 

On September 9, 2024 hundreds gathered to remember Johnny and Matthew at their funeral at St. Mary Magdalen Church. 

Matthew's wife Madeline was there, who was pregnant, due to be expecting her first child with her husband. They had already decided to name their unborn baby Tripp.

Then, in a moving speech, Johnny's wife Meredith celebrated his legacy and revealed that she, too, was expecting a baby, their third together.

"I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby, a total surprise, but again John was beaming and so excited," she said.

"I was so nervous because this was, again, a total surprise, but his reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me, even though I was driving the car."

Onlookers were brought to tears as they thought about the two babies who would never get to meet their fathers.

Johnny Gaudreau with wife Meredith Gaudreau and their daughter. Image: meredithgaudreau_

Shortly after, Matthew's wife, Madeline made a similar statement. The couple had previously announced they were expecting their first child together back in June.

"The moment we found out about our son, Tripp, it consumed him every day," Madeline said. "He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when we first heard Tripp's heartbeat."

A month after the funeral, Madeline shared a series of photos from her heaven-themed baby shower on Instagram, including an image of the event signage that read 'Welcome to our baby shower. Matty and Madeline'. 

"Baby Shower of my Dreams 🤍🕊️," Madeline wrote in a caption, "Thank you @gabriellevasaturo for hosting. @bitesizedsis you're amazing, my husband would have loved all the balloons. The way you were able to tie in my husband brought instant tears when I walked in."

Madeline Gaudreau at her baby shower. Image; Instagram/kgaudreau13

She continued, "All my friends and family, nothing [will] bring his dad back, [or] Uncle John back, but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they were 💙."

John and Matthew's little sister, Katie also shared some beautiful photos to her Instagram and acknowledged her dear brothers that were missing on the day, writing, "Felt the love from your Daddy and Uncle John today. We love you Tripp Matthew." 

'He looks exactly like his daddy.'

On April 1, 2025, Meredith gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, who shared a striking resemblance to his father. She announced the news on Instagram.

"Another baby boy," she wrote. "Carter Michael Gaudreau — same middle name as his daddy. 8lb 3 ounces, 20.5 inches — exact same as his daddy. He looks exactly like his daddy too.

"I love you so much my baby! We are going to have so much fun. I can't wait to give you the best life, my special boy forever."

In another image shared to Instagram, baby Carter wore a onesie with the word "Daddy" and 13 on the back and a little beanie that states "13 Columbus" — a reference to Johnny's days playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Madeline gave birth to little Tripp last year, announcing the arrival of "mommy and daddy's world" on December 30.

Meredith with baby Carter. Image: Instagram/meredithgaudreau_

What happened to the driver? 

According to The Colombus Dispatch, evidence in the case against the driver, Sean M. Higgins showed that his blood alcohol level was "0.087, over the legal limit of 0.08".

Body camera video released by New Jersey State Police shows him telling troopers that he drank multiple beers both before and while driving.

Higgins was charged with two counts each of reckless vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter, along with evidence tampering and leaving the scene of an accident.

Matthew's wife Madeline has been vocal about her thoughts on drink-driving and made this statement at his funeral. 

"I urge everyone to never drink and drive, call a ride," she said,

"Please do not put another family through this torture. The loss of Matty and John will leave a hole in the family, with his close friends, the community for eternity. However, their legacy will live on through the lives of everyone they touched, their kids, their wives, their parents, their siblings."

Madeline with her son Tripp. Image: Instagram/mogaudreau.

A lasting legacy.

Meredith and Madeline are ensuring their late husbands' legacy lives on.

The pair have launched the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, dedicated to honouring their memory.

"Johnny and Matty have made a tremendous and everlasting impact on everyone who knew them," the women said.

"In addition to their hockey talents, the boys were known for their kindness. The JM Foundation's purpose is to continue giving back to what the boys are passionate about and to ultimately continue to make a positive impact on the world in their honour."

The foundation plans to work in the ice hockey space, expanding opportunities for young people, and help families that are affected by drunk driving.

This article was first published in October 2024 and has been updated.

Feature image: Instagram/@meredithgaudreau_/@mogaudreau