Sean M. Higgins, Accused of Killing NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau and Brother Matthew, Pleads Not Guilty—As If That Changes Anything
Salem County, NJ — Sean M. Higgins, the man accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, had the audacity to plead not guilty to all charges during his arraignment hearing on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The 44-year-old faces a range of charges, including two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, tampering with evidence, and fleeing the scene of a fatal accident. But sure, let’s pretend that pleading not guilty somehow erases the tragic reality of what happened.
Let’s rewind to August 29, 2024, when Higgins, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.087—above the legal limit—decided to get behind the wheel. Speeding and recklessly passing cars, he crashed into Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were biking along a quiet rural road in Salem County, New Jersey. Johnny, 31, known as "Johnny Hockey," had just signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets after a standout career with the Calgary Flames. Matthew, 29, a former college hockey player, was a beloved figure in the local hockey scene. The brothers had come to town to serve as groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the next day, but instead, they became victims of one man’s reckless choice.
After the crash, what did Higgins do? He ran. Fleeing the scene like a coward, he was only caught when his car broke down less than a mile away. A real stand-up guy.
At the hearing, Higgins’ defense team had the nerve to describe this as a "series of highly unfortunate and unlikely circumstances." Unfortunate? Unfortunate is burning your toast, not ending two lives because you chose to drink and drive. Prosecutors offered him a plea deal of 35 years, but Higgins, always willing to gamble, opted to take his chances at trial. Good luck with that.
Higgins, a combat veteran and father of two, is being portrayed by his lawyers as a "devoted father and a good person who made a terrible mistake." It’s a nice narrative, but here’s the reality: good people don’t drink and drive, kill two brothers, and then flee the scene. The judge, at least, saw through the defense and denied bail, citing Higgins’ history of road rage and the gravity of the charges.
Meanwhile, the Gaudreau family is left to cope with the loss. Johnny’s widow, Meredith, is expecting their third child, and Matthew’s wife recently gave birth to their son, Tripp Matthew. The hockey world mourns, with teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames holding tributes to honor the brothers. But no tribute can bring Johnny and Matthew back, whose lives were tragically cut short because of one man’s reckless decisions.
Higgins’ next court date is February 4, 2025. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years for each manslaughter charge, plus additional time for the other offenses. But let’s be honest—no prison sentence will ever be enough for the Gaudreau family or the countless lives Johnny and Matthew touched. Higgins can plead not guilty all he wants, but the truth remains undeniable: two brothers are dead, and their blood is on his hands.