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Star Columbus NHL player, brother killed on eve of sister’s wedding

By WHIO Staff
By WHIO Staff

COLUMBUS — UPDATE @ 11:04 a.m.

The mugshot of the man accused of killing Johnny and Matthew Gadreau has been released.

Our sister station Boston News 25 obtained 43-year-old Sean Higgins’ mugshot, who was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Higgins is being held in Salem County Correctional Facility on charges of driving under the influence and two counts of death by auto, Boston 25 News reported.

Sean M. Higgins Sean M. Higgins. Mugshot obtained by Boston 25 News.

>> PHOTOS: Johnny Gaudreau through the years

UPDATE @ 10:00 a.m.

Gaudreau and his brother, who also played Hockey at Boston College, were expected to participate in their sister’s wedding on Friday afternoon, according to our sister station Boston 25 News.

Katie Gaudreau was set to marry Devin Joyce, according to a post on the Knot. Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were set to be Groomsmen.

The Ceremony is set to be held at the Parish of St Mary, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City, New Jersey at 1:45 p.m. according to the wedding event page.

Joyce also played hockey for the Junior Islanders and at Neumann University, Boston 25 News reported.

UPDATE @ 8:44 a.m.

Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed in a suspected drunk driving crash while riding bicycles Thursday night in Salem County, New Jersey, State Police confirmed.

Gaudreau, 31, and his 29-year-old brother Matthew were riding bikes in Oldmans Township, Salem County on Thursday night when they were struck by a man driving a jeep, according to a release from New Jersey state police.

The driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins of Woodstown, New Jersey, attempted to pass a slower vehicle when he hit the Gaudreau brothers, according to the release.

Higgins was detained under suspicion he was under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto. He is being held in Salem County Correctional Facility.

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INITIAL REPORT:

Columbus Blue Jackets Left Wing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew have died.

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Gaudreau and his brother died on Aug. 29 according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the hockey team said in a statement posted to social media.

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Gaudreau’s cause of death has not been released, and News Center 7 is working to find out.

“Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms, We will miss him terribly and do everything we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy,” the team said.

Gaudreau played for Boston College, the Calgary Flames, Team USA and most recently the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played,” the Blue Jackets said in part. “He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. His impact on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.”

Gaudreau is survived by his wife Meredith, his children Noa and Johnny, and his parents.

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