While mourning the loss of her husband, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau pens a special tribute to brother-in-law Matthew, who was also killed in the bike accident.
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The Columbus Blue Jacket winger’s widow took to Instagram with a series of photos honoring her late brother-in-law.
“John and Matty,” she wrote. “U don’t hear one name without the other. Always side by side. Even in large group settings, u 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.”
Johnny Gaudreau’s wife continued by stating that the NHL player and his younger brother were absolute best friends and biggest fans of each other, despite their polar opposite personalities. “Everyone wanted to be around them, including me. I would sit back and watch John genuinely love his time with his brother.”
She also directly thanked Matthew for loving her and Johnny’s two children as well as being an amazing uncle and godfather.
“I can’t wait to return the honor when I become Tripp’s aunt,” Meredith wrote, mentioning Matthew’s son, who is due to be born in a few months. “I don’t think John could live a day without you so I’m comforted knowing you are of course together in heaven.”
Meredith then added that she has Matthew’s wife and their baby. “We love you very much.”
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed on Thursday, Aug. 29, while biking on a rural road in New Jersey. New Jersey State Police confirmed that a suspected drunk driver, identified as Sean Higgins, had crashed into them. Higgins has been charged with two counts of death by auto.
The NHL star and his brother were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding the next day.
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Along with Meredith, Johnny Gaudeau’s sister-in-law Madeline also took to Instagram to pay tribute to the NHL star and her husband.
“I can’t even put into words the bond these two had and right now I don’t have the strength,” she wrote. “They were each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Matt looked up to John in so many ways but the most important was the father he was to Noa [and] Johnny.”
Madeline continued by writing she finds comfort in 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.”
She then directly addressed Meredith. “To Meredith- we will forever share this extreme heartbreak and terrible bond.. however, the boys couldn’t have picked stronger woman as their wives and mothers of their children. We will carry each other through every season .. as the boys would do for each other.”
Madeline further added that the brothers blessed her and Meredith with children. “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.”