Johnny Gaudreau’s wife Meredith Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau’s wife Madeline Gaudreau are speaking out.
On Aug. 29, the hockey star and his brother Matthew were enjoying some time in their home state of New Jersey, preparing to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding when tragedy struck.
According to the Columbus Dispatch, Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were hit by a drunk driver while riding bikes in Oldmans Township. Both brothers have died.
Now in several heartbreaking statements shared by Meredith on her public Instagram account, she’s opening up for the first time. Madeline shared her first public statement as well.
“It was always Matty & John. I can’t even put into words the bond these two had and right now I don’t have the strength . They were each others biggest cheerleaders. Matt looked up to john in so many ways but the most important was the father he was to Noa & Johnny,” Madeline shared.
She continued, saying, how comforting she finds it “knowing they are together, as they always were. I know they are still messing with each other up there and will continue to look over their families.”
Madeline then directed her words to Meredith. “We will forever share this extreme heartbreak and terrible bond.. However, the boys couldn’t have picked stronger women as their wives and mothers of their children. We will carry each other through every season .. as the boys would do for each other.”
“They blessed us with children,” she continued. “Through them, we will always have a part of them earth side with us forever. I love you my handsome husband, I love you John, I love you Meredith, I love you Noa, I love you Johnny, and I love you Baby Tripp.”
In Meredith’s first statement, she marveled at the life she and Johnny were blessed with.
“Thank you for the best years of my life,” she began next to a picture of herself, Johnny, and their kids all together on his 31st birthday. “Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect.”
“Some days it felt too good to be true,” Meredith continued. “I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”
In a second post, Meredith gushed over how great of a dad Johnny was to their kids.
“The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy,” Meredith wrote.
Meredith later shared beautiful words about her brother-in-law and promised to protect Matthew’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau and their unborn son, Tripp.
“John and Matty. [You] don’t hear one name without the other. Always side by side. Even in large group settings, (you) can find them hip to hip. John’s younger brother- but he looked up to Matty and relied on him for everythinggg. And Matty was always there. Absolute best friends and biggest fans of each other despite polar opposite personalities,” Meredith began.
“Everyone wanted to be around them, including me. I would sit back and watch John genuinely love his time with his brother. Matty, thank you for loving our babies like your own and for being such an amazing uncle and godfather. I can’t wait to return the honor when I become Tripp’s aunt. I don’t think John could live a day without you so I’m comforted knowing you are of course together in heaven. Please continue to take care of John like you always have. I got Madeline and Tripp. We love you very much.”
According to New Jersey State Police, the driver has been identified as Sean M. Higgins. He has since been charged with two counts of death by auto and arrested. The investigation is ongoing, ABC 6 reports.
He and Meredith had welcomed their second child, Johnny, into the world on Feb. 2.
Matthew was also a college hockey player. He leaves behind several family members, including his wife and son.