Katie Gaudreau is the sister of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau whose wedding he and his brother Matthew travelled to NJ to attend.
Katie was set to marry her fiancé Devin Joyce on Friday, August 30th when tragedy struck the family.
Johnny and Matthew were riding their bikes Thursday night when they were struck by a drunk-driver, Sean Higgins. They were both declared dead on the scene.
The brothers had travelled back home to Salem to attend Katie’s wedding, where they were set to serve as groomsmen.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were married to their wives, Meredith and Madeline respectively. Johnny had two kids, and Matthew’s wife is currently pregnant with their first child, baby Tripp due in December. Both Meredith and Madeline were also slated to serve as bridesmaids at the wedding.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe started for the unborn baby of Matthew and Madeline Gaudreau has raised well over $200,000 despite an initial $30,000 goal.
A serious tragedy struck the Gaudreau family and in this article we learn a little bit more about their lives.
Who is Katie Gaudreau?
Katie Gaudreau is Johnny Gaudreau’s sister who was set to get married on Friday, August 30th, when she lost her brothers a mere day before the big day.
Katie Gaudreau was set to get wed to long-time boyfriend Devin Joyce on Friday, according to their wedding website. The wedding was called off following the tragedy.
Joyce, also a hockey player who played under Johnny, Matthew and Katie’s father, Guy, had been dating Katie since March 12, 2016, a year after he had taken her to the “Sadie Hawkins Dance”. They took their relationship to the next level in April 2022 when they welcomed their first child, Bella.
Katie graduated Gloucester Catholic High School and went on to Rowan University. She also danced for the school and is currently owner of a dance recital business. On her Instagram, Katie Gaudreau often shares posts about some of the dance teams she coached and their performances in tournaments.
After seven years of dating, Devin Joyce proposed to Johnny Gaudreau’s sister on May 05, 2023. They set the date of August 30th, 2024 for the wedding, only to be interrupted by fate.
The wedding was slated for New Jersey and Pennsylvania, starting out with the Ceremony at the St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City, NJ.
The ceremony was to be followed by a cocktail hour at the Lucy by Cespache on Broad Street in Philadelphia, PA, followed by the reception at the same venue and then, the after-party, slated for Bank & Bourbon on Market Street.
A day before the wedding, tragedy struck and the Gaudreau brothers, Johnny and Matthew, lost their lives.
The accident
Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were riding their bicycles around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night on Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane in Oldmans Township in Salem County, New Jersey, when an accident occurred.
They were hit by a drunk driver, Sean Higgins of Woodstown, NJ, who had drunk at least five beers before getting behind the wheel of his car.
Higgins impatiently tried passing two cars and veered into the narrow lane the brothers were biking in, striking and killing both.
READ ALSO: Johnny Gaudreau Accident – Death of Johnny Hockey Confirmed by Blue Jackets
He’s been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide.
A statement from the Gaudreau family announced the deaths of the siblings.
“Last night, we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans,” the statement began.
It added: “We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.
“We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult period of grief,”
The Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnny’s current team, also released a statement.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew,” the statement from the organization read.
Johnny Gaudreau wife
Johnny Gaudreau and his wife, Meredith, tied the knot in September 2021.
They share two children, Johnny, 1, and Noa, 6 months.
His brother, Matthew Gaudreau, is married to his wife Madeline, whom he also married in July 2021.
The couple are expecting as Madeline is currently pregnant!