Madeline Gaudreau, widow of hockey player Matthew Gaudreau, has given birth to their first child, a baby boy, four months after her husband and his brother, Johnny Gaudreau, were killed in a devastating accident involving a drunk driver. On Sunday, Madeline shared the joyful yet bittersweet news on Instagram, posting a photo of her holding the tiny hand of her newborn son.
“Tripp Matthew ??,” she captioned the heartfelt image. “Mommy & Daddy’s world.”
She lovingly tagged her late husband in the post, honoring his memory and sharing the moment with her followers, who flooded the comments section with messages of love and support.
One user wrote, “Beautiful name. I know it has to be so sad not to share this with him… makes me cry. He’d [be] so proud of you! Great job mommy ???.” Another added, “Congratulations ?? enjoy all the newborn snuggles. So happy he’s here safe. You now have a part of Matthew with you. Thinking of you both ?.”
A Tragic Loss
Matthew Gaudreau, 29, and his older brother Johnny, 31, were struck and killed on August 29 while riding their bikes along the side of a road in their hometown of Salem County, New Jersey. The driver, Sean M. Higgins, was found to be intoxicated at the time and has since been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.
The tragedy occurred just one day before the brothers were set to stand as groomsmen at their sister Katie Gaudreau’s wedding. The family, reeling from the loss, canceled the planned nuptials and reception.
Madeline, who married Matthew in July 2021, was pregnant with their first child at the time of the accident. Her sister, Holland Korbitz, shared the news in a GoFundMe organized to support Madeline and the Gaudreau family. The campaign highlighted the deep pain of the loss while also focusing on the life growing within Madeline.
Keeping Matthew’s Memory Alive
Following her husband’s death, Madeline expressed her heartbreak in a poignant Instagram post. “You are the best thing about me,” she wrote. “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.”
In October, Madeline hosted a baby shower for her son with a fitting theme: “A Little Piece of Heaven.” The event was filled with emotional tributes to Matthew, with Madeline sharing, “The way you were able to tie in my husband brought instant tears when I walked in. Nothing will bring his dad back or Uncle John, but I am glad he has so many amazing people around him to remind him how amazing they were ?.”
A New Beginning
The arrival of Tripp Matthew brings both joy and a poignant reminder of the life and love that Matthew Gaudreau leaves behind. For Madeline, Tripp will always be a living testament to her husband’s legacy.
“Mommy & Daddy’s world,” she wrote, encapsulating the bittersweet emotions of this new chapter.
While the road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, the love and support surrounding Madeline and her son from family, friends, and well-wishers offer a light in what has been an unimaginably dark time.
