A public statement has been made by the widow of the late hockey star Johnny Gaudreau for the first time since her husband was murdered in a bike accident shortly after his loss.
Meredith Gaudreau issued a statement on the passing of her husband on Saturday, August 31. In the message, she shared two images on Instagram in which she paid respect to him as a husband and parent.
“I want to express my gratitude for the years that were the most memorable of my life. The fact that I was yours, despite the fact that I no longer have you, makes me the luckiest girl in the world. She opened the caption of the first post by saying, “I love you from the bottom of my heart.”
In addition, Meredith followed by saying, “You were flawless.” At times, it seemed like it was too wonderful to be true. Everything about you is wonderful, and I adore it. My eternal companion, I can’t wait to be with you once again. You are my forever. I love you so deeply that I will never stop loving you.
She posted a carousel of images alongside her heartfelt tribute to her husband, beginning with a picture of herself and Johnny with their two children, daughter Noa, who will turn two in October, and son Johnny, who is seven months old, sitting at a table that featured a birthday cake and a birthday cake for Johnny, who had turned 31 on August 12th.
Several more photographs captured Johnny by himself as well as tender moments from the pair’s time spent together. These included the couple making hilarious faces for selfies together, embracing, attending events, and playing golf.
Meredith paid tribute to Johnny as a father in a second post, in which she referred to him as the “best partner” to be a parent with. She also said that he was the “best” at putting their infant boy to bed and that he was the “apple” of their daughter’s eye.
He is the most amazing father in the whole world. You are very sweet and caring. The most ideal companion to share the journey of motherhood with. He never missed a single appointment, she said, adding, “Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the apple of Noa’s eye.” John was the one who never missed a single visit. I like how much she resembles him in appearance. Your pride will be a source of pride for us. You are the most wonderful father in the world.
The second tribute that she paid to her husband were photographs of Johnny with the couple’s children during the course of their many years together. These photographs showed them doing things like as hanging out at home, going to the beach and the pool, and watching him play hockey.
PEOPLE has revealed that the NFL player, who was 31 years old, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, who was also 29 years old, both passed away in a bicycling accident on August 29 in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, which was located near to their homeland of Salem County. According to a wedding website, they were apparently in their hometown to act as groomsmen at the wedding of their sister Katie Gaudreau, which took place on August 30.
In a statement that was released to PEOPLE at the time, the New Jersey State Police said that Johnny and Matthew were riding their bicycles on Country Route 551 North just after 8 o’clock in the evening when a motorist who was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol tried to pass another vehicle and struck them, resulting in their losses.
In addition to being detained, the driver, Sean M. Higgins, was charged with two counts of loss by automobile, and the investigation is still continuing, authorities have said.
The statement acknowledged that the suspect had been driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and an SUV at the time of the incident.
“Higgins attempted to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes of travel, passed the slower-moving sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes of travel when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the two pedal cyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway,” according to law enforcement.
Following that, Higgins made an effort to overtake the SUV on the right, and when he did so, he collided with the two pedal bikers rearward. According to the statement, the two pedal bikers who were involved in the incident had injuries that ultimately proved to be de.adly.