On August 29, 2024, NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, 31 and 29, respectively, were tragically killed while driving their bikes in South Jersey. Police then arrested 44-year-old driver Sean M. Higgins with a grand jury indicting him on two counts of manslaughter and two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide. Higgins pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
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According to WSYX, prosecutors offered a plea offer of 35 years in prison. However, during his arraignment, Higgins refused the offer, pleading not guilty to all charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 4, and, according to the New York Post, he faces up to 60 years behind bars.
Higgins was arrested shortly after he allegedly hit Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Allegedly, he attempted to pass another vehicle, which ended up in the tragic deaths of the brothers. Prosecutors revealed that Higgins admitted to drinking "five or six" bears before he hopped behind the wheel. Moreover, he failed a field sobriety test and scored a 0.87 blood alcohol level, which is above the legal limit. Allegedly, Higgins also got rid of evidence before police officers arrived at the scene.
A Family, Broken
Johnny and Matthew tragically died one day before their sister Katie's wedding. Katie would then post a heartbreaking message on her Instagram account following her brothers' deaths.
"2024 I hate you. You went from what should have been the best year of my life to the worst," she wrote in the post's description. Attached is a video showing her year's highlights, tainted by the tragedy. "You taught me that life is cruel and unfair. You made me feel so small and so lost but you didn't get the best of me because I have come out stronger and wiser," Katie continued. "2025 I am not sure how to feel about you yet because I don't know how we leave 2024 like this."
Both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were survived by their wives, Meredith and Madeleine, respectively. Shortly after the news of their deaths, it was revealed that Madeleine was pregnant with Matthew's baby. Madeleine gave birth to Matthew's baby in December 2024, four months after the brothers' deaths.
"My husband would have loved all the balloons," Madeleine wrote on Instagram. "All my friends and family, nothing will bring his dad back or Uncle John, but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they are."
