Morgue Worker's Termination Upheld After Leaking Sensitive Gaudreau Death Information
A former New Jersey morgue assistant has lost his appeal to have his termination overturned after admitting to leaking confidential information about the deaths of former NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Connor McGlynn, 34, was dismissed from his position at the Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Office in September 2024 following his admission that he shared private details about the tragic incident with friends.
The Tragic Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Johnny Gaudreau, known affectionately as 'Johnny Hockey' during his professional career with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother Matthew were fatally struck by an SUV while riding bicycles in August 2024. The accident occurred near their New Jersey hometown on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding.
Sean Higgins, 45, was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter, among other offenses. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial while his defense team challenges toxicology evidence.
The Confidentiality Breach and Its Consequences
Just hours after the fatal collision, sensitive information about the Gaudreau brothers appeared on social media platforms X and Reddit. The leaked material included handwritten notes containing their birth dates, home addresses, and specific details about the incident that were supposed to remain confidential.
The social media posts displayed screenshots of a text conversation involving eight individuals, including McGlynn. Alarmingly, the leaked information also revealed the phone number of the state trooper who responded to the accident scene, resulting in numerous unwanted calls that left the officer 'very upset.'
Legal Proceedings and Commission Decision
McGlynn challenged his termination, but the New Jersey Commission voted 3-2 on February 25 to uphold his dismissal. While the official decision did not explicitly name the Gaudreau brothers, the ruling referenced a date matching their deaths and mentioned the victims' 'celebrity status.'
Administrative Law Judge Allison Friedman noted in her ruling that 'McGlynn has no explanation of why he would send the picture to the text, other than that he was in disbelief and acted out of emotion.' The judge acknowledged that McGlynn did not fail to perform his duties and did not personally post the information online, describing him as 'remorseful, a valued employee' who 'has learned from his mistake.'
Ongoing Legal Developments in the Criminal Case
Meanwhile, significant developments have emerged in the criminal case against Sean Higgins. His defense attorney recently claimed that toxicology data shows his client's blood alcohol concentration was actually below the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Defense attorney Richard Klineburger revealed during a hearing that their expert analysis indicates Higgins's BAC reading was .075, not the .087 previously claimed by prosecutors. Klineburger argued this discrepancy 'taints' the indictment and could have 'impacted the grand jury' in their decision-making.
Prosecutor Michael Mestern has stated he will consult with his own team of experts regarding these new findings. Should they confirm the defense's claims, prosecutors may seek a new indictment against Higgins. The next court hearing is scheduled for April 14, where Mestern is expected to reveal whether his experts agree with the revised BAC analysis.
Family Impact and Personal Tragedies
The Gaudreau family has endured profound personal losses following the brothers' untimely deaths. At the time of the accident, Johnny's wife Meredith was pregnant with their third child, Carter, who was born in April 2025. The couple also shares two other children, Noa and Johnny.
Matthew's wife Madeline gave birth to their first child, Tripp, in December 2024. Their sister Katie, whose wedding was postponed following her brothers' deaths, eventually married Devin Joyce in a rescheduled ceremony and is now expecting her first child.
The case highlights the critical importance of confidentiality in sensitive medical and investigative roles, while also illustrating the complex legal proceedings that often follow high-profile tragedies.
