Katie Gaudreau broke her silence after losing her two brothers the day before her wedding.
A suspected drunk driver allegedly struck and killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau while they were riding their bicycles Aug. 29. Katie had rehearsed for her wedding that same day. She shared a carousel of family photos on Instagram, alongside an emotional caption.
“To know these two was to love these two. There are absolutely no words I have to express the bond my family shared,” she wrote.
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Katie honored her brothers just four days after they were tragically killed, and spoke about the love that all the siblings had for one another.
“The entire world knows there would never have been a John without Matty or Matty without John,” Katie wrote.
She went on to call Johnny and Matthew the “absolute best big brothers a little girl could have asked for.” Johnny played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the hockey community mourned his death when news of the tragedy broke.
OSTRAVA, CZECH REPUBLIC – MAY 10: Johnny Gaudreau of USA in action during the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship match between Sweden and United States on May 10, 2024 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. (Photo by PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Images)
Images of the family together as young children in the kitchen of their home were included with photographs of Katie’s engagement, along with snaps from Matthew and Johnny’s weddings.
Katie kept positive amid the devastating loss.
“This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both,” she wrote.
She signed off with a promise to her late brothers.
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“I’ll take the best care of mom, dad, Kristen, Mer, Madeline, and your babies,” Katie wrote.
Police have since identified the suspected driver of the vehicle who allegedly killed Johnny and Matthew as Sean M. Higgins. He was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, according to People.
Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith and their two children, a two-year-old and seven-month-old.
Matthew’s wife Madeline is pregnant with the couple’s first child. Their son is due to be born Dec. 31.(RELATED: NHL Superstar Johnny Gaudreau And His Brother Pronounced Dead After Tragic Accident)
A GoFundMe page was set up to support Madeline and the baby. The $30,000 goal has been far surpassed. Over $538,000 has been donated at the time of this writing.
