NJ death investigator fired for leaking Johnny Gaudreau crash details in group chat
A New Jersey death investigator has been officially dismissed after leaking confidential details about the fatal 2024 crash involving NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. The incident sparked widespread media attention when the worker shared sensitive notes in a hockey team group chat, which later surfaced on social media.
The Civil Service Commission rejected a recommendation for a lighter penalty, instead upholding the decision to fire the employee for serious misconduct.
The crash occurred on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township, where Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were struck by a car while cycling. The driver, Sean Higgins, was allegedly under the influence at the time. Legal disputes continue over his blood alcohol level, with defence lawyers arguing it was below the legal limit, while prosecutors insist he was intoxicated.
The death investigator, employed by the Gloucester County Medical Examiner's office, sent a photo of his crash notes to a group chat. This led to the Gaudreau brothers' deaths being publicly disclosed, along with the personal cell phone number of a New Jersey State Police trooper involved. The leak triggered overnight media reports and a flood of calls to the trooper for confirmation. An administrative law judge initially suggested a six-month suspension. However, the Civil Service Commission ruled that the breach was too severe, citing failures to protect confidential patient information and other violations. The worker's actions were deemed unacceptable for someone handling sensitive death investigations.
The firing of the death investigator follows a high-profile breach of protocol that exposed private crash details. The case highlights the consequences of mishandling confidential information, particularly in incidents involving public figures. Legal proceedings against the driver, Sean Higgins, remain ongoing.
