NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau and His Brother’s Accused Killer Sparks Fury with Courtroom Behavior: ‘No Remorse’

The Gaudreau brothers were struck by an alleged drunk driver, Sean Higgins, on the night of August 29, 2024, while biking in southern New Jersey. Higgins, 43, appeared in court via Zoom the following day, where his demeanor caused a stir among onlookers and social media users alike.

According to reports, Higgins appeared annoyed during his first appearance in Salem County Court. During the proceedings, when Judge Michael J. Silvanio informed him that he would be held in jail until his next detention hearing on September 5, Higgins expressed frustration.

“So…I’m here until Thursday?” Higgins asked the judge, who explained that the extended holding period was due to the upcoming holiday weekend. Higgins then sat back in his chair and let out an audible sigh, a moment that did not go unnoticed.

Higgins, who appeared virtually from jail dressed in a dark green jacket and sporting a wrist bandage, faces charges for the deaths of 31-year-old Johnny Gaudreau and 29-year-old Matthew Gaudreau.

The courtroom was notably absent of any family members to support Higgins. The accused was represented by public defender Cody Dooley. The absence of remorse from Higgins, coupled with his apparent frustration at being held in jail, quickly spread across social media, leading to a wave of public outrage.

Netizens from far and wide expressed their anger over Higgins’ behavior. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Imagine killing 2 people and getting upset that you don’t get to go home. Johnny and Matthew don’t have that luxury anymore.”

Another user commented, “You have [got] to be kidding me,” while others were even more scathing. “There’s a special place in hell for these kinds of people, and that place still isn’t hot enough for this,” wrote another. Another user simply stated, “[The] [guy] has zero remorse. Don’t even let him back on the streets.”

Reactions were equally harsh on Instagram, where one commenter stated, “Hope he never gets out. You caused much grief to too many people.” Another echoed, “No remorse. Prayers to the family.”

One more user summarized the frustration, writing, “There was no bail but has to stay in jail for 4 days. He was angry that he would be in for 4 days. No remorse at all. But not sure of the whole story [sic].”

The public outcry is rooted not only in Higgins’ courtroom demeanor but also in the devastating details of the incident that led to the deaths of the Gaudreau brothers. According to the police report, the crash unfolded when Higgins entered the southbound lane of the roadway, attempting to overtake a sedan.

As he tried to reenter the northbound lane, the SUV ahead of him moved into the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass Johnny and Matthew, who were biking on the right side of the road.

In an attempt to pass the SUV on the right, Higgins struck the Gaudreau brothers from behind, causing fatal injuries. State troopers who arrived at the scene detected a strong odor of alcohol from Higgins, who later admitted to consuming “five to six beers” before the crash.

According to the criminal complaint, Higgins confessed that his alcohol consumption contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, suggesting he believed the SUV driver was trying to block him from passing. Higgins subsequently failed a field sobriety test administered by the responding officer.

The sudden and tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau have left the public heartbroken and sent shockwaves through the entire hockey community.

Johnny’s hockey team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, posted a statement about his demise on X on August 30. The lengthy message noted how devastated and shocked the team was by the sad news.

Boasting about how incredible of a player and person Johnny was, their statement divulged, “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”

They highlighted how joyful Johnny would be in every game he played — a joy that was felt by everybody else who got to see the late star play. Johnny always brought his A-game and passion for the sport everywhere he went.

His hockey career took him from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets, where he served as the team’s winger.

“The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him,” mentioned the Columbus Blue Jackets in their statement.

The grieving team went on to reiterate how much the superstar athlete is missed by them and their community and ended their message by asking the public to pray for the Gaudreau family, who are dealing with an unimaginable loss.

The Columbus Blue Jackets also asked that the bereaved family’s privacy be respected. In the same way that Johnny’s hockey team shared a statement about his passing, the Commissioner of the NHL, Gary Bettman, shared some words about the tragedy as well.

He penned a lengthy message on the official Public Relations website page of the NHL that spotlighted the incredible legacy Johnny has left behind as one of the League’s “brightest young stars” during his impressive 11 seasons in the NHL.

“We send our most [heartfelt] condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie,” wrote Gary at the end of his statement.

As the legal proceedings against the accused continue, the demand for justice remains at the forefront, echoing the lasting impact of the Gaudreau brothers’ legacy.