Katie Gaudreau, the younger sister of two hockey players killed in an unthinkable tragedy, paid tribute in an Instagram post Monday.
Katie’s brothers, Johnny and Matthew, were killed Thursday, on the eve of her wedding, by an alleged drunk driver.
Johnny, one of the NHL’s biggest stars, and Matthew were riding bikes in Salem County, N.J., when they were struck by a motorist who now faces multiple charges.
“To know these two was to love these two,” Katie 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. This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both. I’ll take the best care of mom, dad, Kristen, Mer, Madeline, and your babies.”
Johnny, 31, and his wife Meredith have two kids, both under the age of two.
Matthew, 29, was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first child, named Tripp, later this year.
His pregnant wife, Madeline, posted a touching tribute Sunday.
“It was always Matty & John,” Madeline wrote on Instagram. “I can’t even put into words the bond these two had and right now I don’t have the strength. They were each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Matt looked up to John in so many ways but the most important was the father he was to Noa & Johnny. I find extreme comfort knowing they are together, as they always were. I know they are still messing with each other up there and will continue to look over their families.”
A GoFundMe to support Madeline and Tripp has raised more than US$500,000.