Widow Haunted by Night NHL Star Husband Died

Two years after losing her husband in a tragic accident, Meredith Gaudreau continues to grapple with memories that refuse to fade. The 34-year-old widow described the persistent mental replay of the night NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed while cycling in New Jersey.

"It's just always replaying in my head," Meredith Gaudreau told People on Thursday, August 27, referring to the moment she learned of the August 29, 2024 incident that claimed both brothers' lives.

"Sometimes I find myself kinda just zoning out. And I think about what I am thinking about and it's that night. You know, it haunts me," she told People.

The passage of time has done little to diminish the rawness of her grief as she navigates single parenthood with three young children. Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years old at the time of his death, while Matthew Gaudreau was 29.

"It's playing in my head all the time. I'm thinking about John 24/7," Meredith Gaudreau told People. "I think about him that moment a lot and think about the better moments too whenever I see our kids. They're a nice reminder to — I remember the nicer times."

Sean M. Higgins faces multiple charges in connection with the deaths. In December 2024, he was indicted on two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, one count of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, and one count of second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Higgins admitted to drinking prior to the collision and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 16.

Meredith Gaudreau and Johnny Gaudreau married in September 2021. The couple welcomed daughter Noa and son Johnny Jr. in September 2022 and February 2024, respectively. During her husband's funeral in September 2024, Meredith Gaudreau revealed she was pregnant with their third child. Son Carter was born in April 2025.

Matthew Gaudreau also left behind a wife, Madeline Gaudreau, whom he married in July 2021. She was expecting their first child at the time of his death. Their son, Tripp Matthew, was born in December 2024.

In managing her grief, Meredith Gaudreau told People she has relied heavily on family support, including her own siblings and parents, Johnny's family, and her sister-in-law Madeline Gaudreau.

Preserving her late husband's memory for their children has become a daily practice. She shares stories with her children about their father's preferences and habits, pointing out locations around town that held significance for him.

"We talk about him every day," Meredith Gaudreau told People. "There's things around town here, I'll tell Noah and Johnny, and Carter of course, he's just so young, 'This is daddy's favorite ice cream place. He used to always get M&Ms on his ice cream.'"

She has placed small framed photographs throughout their home in locations that correspond to where the images were captured, such as a picture of Johnny Gaudreau blowing out birthday candles positioned at their kitchen table.

"I can see the kids pick them up and can kind of start putting two to two together," she told People.

The widow has maintained her husband's physical presence in their home by keeping his belongings exactly where he left them.

"His clothes are all still in the closet. His shoes are on the shoe rack," she told People. "[The kids] wear his shoes. They play with his hats. I'll still wear some of his sweatshirts. I've kept everything."

The Gaudreau family has channeled their grief into community action. Jane Gaudreau, mother of Johnny and Matthew, established the Gaudreau Family Foundation to honor her sons' legacies. The organization hosted its 2nd Annual Gaudreau Family 5K Run/Walk & Family Day in May in New Jersey.

"I don't think people throughout the hockey world — throughout South Jersey to Columbus to Calgary — I don't think they realize how much they did for us," Jane Gaudreau said in April. "By them talking to us and bringing them into their world and seeing what they could do for us or how they could help keep John and Matty's legacies alive, they just helped us so much with our grief."