Matthew Gaudreau's widow gave birth to their first child together four months after he was killed by a drunk driver alongside his brother, NHL player Johnny Gaudreau.
Taking to Instagram Sunday, Madeline Gaudreau, confirmed the birth of their son with a photo of her holding the newborn's hand.
"Tripp Matthew," she captioned the post. "Mommy & Daddy’s world."
Matthew, 29, and Johnny, who was 31 and played for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, were killed on Aug. 29. The brothers were cycling along the side of a road in their hometown of Salem County, New Jersey, when they were struck by a drunk driver, Page Six reported.
According to inmate records cited by the outlet, the driver, Sean M. Higgins, 43, was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. Authorities at the scene detected a "strong odor" of alcohol on his breath.
The brothers were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding the following day, but the nuptials in Philadelphia were canceled. A day later, it emerged that Madeline was pregnant and expecting her first child with Matthew, whom she married in July 2021. The announcement was made by her sister Holland Korbitz in a GoFundMe campaign.
"In this unimaginably difficult time, we are coming together to support Matthew’s wife, Madeline, and their growing baby Tripp, and help alleviate some of the financial burdens they now face," Holland wrote on the fundraising page, according to Page Six.
"Your support will allow them the time to take off work to grieve and heal as a family," she added.
Shortly after, Madeline opened up about the tragedy of losing her husband, saying in an Instagram post that she had never experienced "pain like this."
"You are the best thing about me," she added. "I know you are watching down in just as much pain as I am looking up. I will keep going for you and our son. I love you so much, Matthew."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.