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Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau’s sister updates wedding band after their tragic deaths

Katie Gaudreau and her brothers at Matthew Gaudreau’s wedding.
Katie Gaudreau and her brothers at Matthew Gaudreau’s wedding. Screengrab from Katie Gaudreau's Instagram page

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s sister updated her wedding ring to remember her two brothers.

Both Johnny and Matthew died the night before their sister, Katie Gaudreau, was set to get married. The brothers were biking together in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on Aug. 29, when they were struck by a man suspected of drunk driving, police told news outlets.

In an earlier Instagram post, Katie detailed the moment she learned about her brothers’ deaths on her wedding day.

“That day,” she wrote in the caption. “Right in the middle of getting ready for the best day of my life the unthinkable happens that will change my life forever.”

“I remember a week ago being in the hotel sitting with family and texting Devin about how we forgot to practice our dip. To think that was our biggest worry at this moment when in just a split second and a phone call later our lives would forever change,” Katie continued.

“Remember to tell your people you love them,” she urged others. “I would do anything to tell my big brothers I love them one more time.”

Now she’s sharing the addition she made to her wedding ring so that her brothers are with her forever.

Katie Gaudreau shares the bittersweet update she made to her wedding band.
Katie Gaudreau shares the bittersweet update she made to her wedding band. Screengrab from Katie Gaudreau's Instagram page

“Forever with me now. J&M,” Katie wrote alongside a photo of the letters “J” and “M” inscribed on the inside of her wedding band.

Both Johnny and Matthew were to be groomsmen at her wedding.

In a statement shared with People, the New Jersey State Police say the driver of the vehicle, identified as 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, “fatally struck (the brothers) as he attempted to pass another vehicle.” He faces two counts of death by auto.

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Sara Vallone
Miami Herald
Sara Vallone is a content specialist working with McClatchy Media’s Trend Hunter and national content specialists team.
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