Katie Gaudreau is ensuring that the memory of her late brothers, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, will remain with her forever. In a touching tribute, Katie revealed on her Instagram Stories on Saturday, Sept. 7, that she had their initials engraved on the side of her wedding band to honor their memory. Her two brothers tragically lost their lives in a bike accident on Aug. 29, just one day before Katie’s wedding was originally scheduled to take place.
In the heartfelt post, Katie shared a black-and-white close-up photo of her wedding ring, showing the inscription “J & M” etched on the side. She gently held the ring between her fingers, presenting the initials to the camera, with the poignant caption, “Forever with me now. J&M.”
The loss of her brothers was a devastating blow for Katie, and she and her fiancé, Devin Joyce, made the difficult decision to postpone their wedding following the tragedy. Despite the overwhelming grief, Katie has found ways to keep her brothers’ spirits alive. She mentioned in a previous Instagram Story on Sept. 3 that Johnny and Matthew had been eagerly anticipating the wedding and had a special bond with her fiancé. “They were so excited for us to get married. When the day comes, they are going to be dancing and celebrating more than anyone,” she wrote, while resharing a tribute post from Devin.
Katie also took time to reflect on the strong family bond she shared with Johnny and Matthew in a separate Instagram post. Alongside cherished family photos, she expressed the inseparable connection between her brothers and the family’s deep love for them. “To know these two was to love these two,” she wrote. “There are absolutely no words I have to express the bond my family shared. The entire world knows there would never have been a John without Matty or Matty without John. The absolute best big brothers a little girl could have asked for.”
In the emotional tribute, Katie vowed to keep their memory alive, stating, “This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both.” She also promised to care for their family, saying, “I’ll take the best care of mom, dad, Kristen, Mer, and Madeline, your babies.”
Johnny Gaudreau, a professional hockey player for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother Matthew were tragically killed on the evening of Aug. 29 in their hometown while they were out biking. The brothers, who were set to serve as groomsmen in Katie’s wedding, were struck by a vehicle driven by a man suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
According to New Jersey State Police, the driver, identified as 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was attempting to pass another vehicle when he hit the brothers. Higgins was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto and is currently being held in jail.
The Gaudreau family has been left devastated by the loss, but Katie’s tribute to her brothers ensures that Johnny and Matthew will remain a constant presence in her life, even as she moves forward.
