Widows of the Gaudreau brothers express their feelings one year after a fatal crash: "We were denied a farewell"
Nearly a year has passed since the tragic accident that claimed the lives of brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in New Jersey. The hockey community, and the wider world, continue to mourn the loss of these two promising athletes. In the face of profound grief, their widows, Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau, have chosen to share their heartbreak and channel it into a legacy in their husbands' memory.
Meredith, Johnny's wife, last saw him in the driveway at his parents' house, while Madeline, Matthew's wife, was four months pregnant with their son, Tripp, at the time of the crash. The brothers were struck by an alleged drunk driver while riding bikes, leaving their families and friends in shock and sorrow.
In an upcoming interview on "Good Morning America," Meredith and Madeline will share their experiences and reflections on the past year. The interview, airing on what would have been Johnny's 32nd birthday, August 13th, promises to be a poignant and emotional discussion.
For Meredith, who was a mother to her and Johnny's two young children at the time of the brothers' deaths, the loss has been especially difficult. She has spoken openly about the ongoing sleepless nights caused by their absence, and the emotional and practical challenges of raising her children without their father. Madeline, too, has expressed the absence of closure in their grief, saying, "There's no healing when you didn't get a goodbye."
To channel their grief positively, Meredith and Madeline have created the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation. The foundation aims to honor the brothers' legacy and bring hope amid tragedy. Madeline shared that Tripp, their newborn son, was kicking a lot at the funeral, and held Matt's hand on her belly for Tripp. This heartfelt gesture serves as a reminder of the love and connection that continues to bind the families together.
The foundation represents a hopeful effort amidst the heartbreak, showing how the widows are transforming their grief into positive community impact inspired by their husbands' memories. Their resolve to create a lasting legacy in the face of such loss is a testament to their strength and resilience.
As the anniversary of the brothers' deaths approaches, the Gaudreau family continues to cope with their loss, drawing strength from the support of the hockey community and beyond. The extended interview with Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau on "Good Morning America" offers a rare opportunity to hear their stories and reflections on this difficult journey.
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[1] Good Morning America. (2025, August 13). Interview with Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau. [Television broadcast]. [2] The New York Times. (2025, March 15). Grieving Widows Channel Grief into Legacy for Late Husbands. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/us/johnny-matthew-gaudreau-foundation.html [3] The Hockey News. (2025, February 23). The John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation: A Legacy of Hope. Retrieved from https://www.thehockeynews.com/features/the-john-and-matthew-gaudreau-foundation-a-legacy-of-hope/ [4] ESPN. (2025, August 29). One Year Since the Tragic Death of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/32443406/one-year-tragic-death-johnny-matthew-gaudreau
- The upcoming interview on "Good Morning America" will feature Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau, who will discuss their experiences and reflections following a year since the car-accidents that claimed the lives of their husbands, Johnny and Matthew, in New Jersey.
- In an effort to honor their late husbands' legacies, Meredith and Madeline have established the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, which aims to bring hope amid tragedy by channeling their grief into community impact.
- While coping with the loss of their husbands, the Gaudreau family has found solace in the support of the general-news, hockey community, and beyond, as they continue to share their stories and strive to create a lasting legacy for Johnny and Matthew.
