Days after the tragic deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, Johnny’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, revealed that the couple was expecting their third child. During her emotional eulogy on Monday, she shared, “John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life. There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever — it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We’re actually a family of five. I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby.”
Meredith expressed that the news of her pregnancy was a “total surprise,” detailing Johnny’s joyful reaction upon learning the news, which included immediately embracing and kissing her.
The couple’s eldest daughter, Noa, is not yet two years old, and they welcomed a son, Johnny, in February. The brothers were tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver in Salem County, New Jersey, while biking together just before their sister’s wedding over Labor Day weekend. The alleged driver has been charged with two counts of death by auto.
In light of this tragedy, Kate Gaudreau postponed her wedding but honored her brothers by incorporating “J&M” into her wedding band and sharing on Instagram, “Forever with me now. J & M.”
Matthew Gaudreau and his wife, Madeline, were also expecting their first child. During the memorial, Madeline recounted Matthew’s excitement about becoming a father, saying, “He was born to be a dad. The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day.” She shared that he had been actively preparing for fatherhood by researching parenting tips and products. Madeline is due to give birth in December.