Katie Gaudreau’s reflection on 2024 is nothing short of heartbreaking.
On Jan. 1, Katie — whose brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were killed by a drunk driver the night before her August wedding — shared a video of various moments from the past year on Instagram.
“2024 I hate you,” Katie began in her caption. “You went from what was supposed to be the best year of my life to the worst.”
She continued, “You taught me that life is cruel and unfair. You made me feel so small and lost, but you didn’t get the best of me because I came out stronger and wiser.”
Looking ahead to the new year, Katie said she’s “not sure how to feel” about 2025 yet, “because I don’t know how we’re going to leave 2024 like this.”
The comments on Katie’s post were filled with messages of support from friends and followers of the Gaudreau family.
“Complete strangers felt so much sadness with you. Words cannot express the injustice. I am so sorry this happened,” wrote one user. Another said: “I’m still teary-eyed and crying for all of you, and I’ve never met any of you.”
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Johnny Gaudreau’s sister, Katie, celebrated her wedding just weeks before the accident killed the NHL star and brother Matthew.
Johnny Gaudreau/Instagram
Matthew and Johnny were killed while riding their bicycles on the evening of August 29 in Oldmans Township, NJ after being struck by an allegedly drunk driver, Sean M. Higgins. The brothers were laid to rest on September 9 at a joint funeral, where she and Johnny’s widow Meredith gave emotional speeches paying tribute to their late husbands.
Higgins, 44, was formally indicted by a grand jury on Dec. 11 on several charges, including second-degree reckless homicide by vehicle and first-degree aggravated murder.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s childhood rink renamed after their deaths: ‘They will continue to inspire’
On December 29, Matthew’s widow Madeline Gaudreau announced that she welcomed the couple’s first child, a son named Tripp Matthew.
“Tripp Matthew 🤍🦋,” she wrote in the description and revealed her son’s name. She added, “Mommy and Daddy’s World.”
The post featured a photo of Madeline holding her newborn’s tiny hand as he lay on a baby blanket alongside a small round sign that read “He’s here.”
Johnny’s widow, Meredith Gaudreau, is also pregnant with the couple’s third child. They are parents to daughter Noa, 2, and Johnny, who turns 1 next month.
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Source: HIS Education