Matthew Gaudreau’s Widow Honors Him Ahead of 2nd Anniversary of His Death: ‘Gave Me the Best Life’

As the second anniversary of Matthew Gaudreau‘s death approaches, his widow, Madeline Gaudreau, is turning to social media to keep his memory close.

She shared a new tribute to her late husband via Instagram Stories on Monday, Aug. 3. Madeline, 32, posted a black-and-white throwback photo from the couple’s July 2021 wedding to her Instagram Stories, writing, “You gave me the best life. We miss you.” She followed it with a second photo of the pair smiling at each other while holding gold balloons.

Matthew, 29, and his brother, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, were hit by a car and killed while biking in New Jersey on Aug. 29, 2024, where they had gathered for their sister’s wedding.

According to ESPN, the driver, Sean M. Higgins, has pleaded not guilty and rejected a plea deal, while a judge denied requests to dismiss or reduce the charges. The case has not yet gone to trial.

As Globe previously reported, the devastating loss took an immediate physical toll on the brothers’ parents. Guy and Jane Gaudreau were both hospitalized for two nights after learning of their sons’ deaths, with Jane becoming largely unresponsive and Guy receiving treatment for elevated blood pressure and heart rate.

Madeline was pregnant with the couple’s first child when Matthew died. She gave birth to son Tripp Matthew that December, through whom she has continued to honor Matthew’s memory, recently sharing photos on Instagram of the 19-month-old at his first hockey class.

Matthew’s memory also lives on through his sister Katie Gaudreau-Joyce, who welcomed son Matthew, named after her late brother, on June 20.

Johnny’s widow, Meredith, who was nine weeks pregnant at the time of the brothers’ deaths, welcomed son Carter in April 2025.

“Same middle name as his daddy. 8lb 3 ounces, 20.5 inches – exact same as his daddy,” Meredith wrote on Instagram. “He looks exactly like his daddy too.”