Morgue Worker Dismissed After Leaking Sensitive Details of NHL Star's Death
A morgue attendant in New Jersey has been permanently dismissed from his position after leaking confidential information regarding the tragic deaths of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew. The Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Office terminated Connor McGlynn in September 2024, and state officials have now upheld that decision following a protracted legal dispute.
Details of the Confidentiality Breach
McGlynn, who worked as an assistant at the medical examiner's office, sent a photograph of his private notes about the Gaudreau brothers' deaths to a small group of fellow hockey players just hours after the fatal incident occurred in August 2024. According to court records, these notes contained highly sensitive information, including the brothers' birth dates, home addresses, specific details about the crash, and even the cellphone number of the responding state trooper.
The message was initially intended for a private group of teammates, many of whom knew the Gaudreau family personally. However, the situation escalated when one recipient later posted the image publicly on social media without McGlynn's knowledge, prompting an internal investigation by authorities.
Legal Proceedings and Upholding of Dismissal
McGlynn appealed his termination, and in December 2025, an administrative law judge recommended a lesser penalty of a six-month suspension. Despite this recommendation, the Civil Service Commission ultimately voted 3-2 in February to uphold the original dismissal. Records of this decision were made public on Thursday, as reported by the Courier Post.
In the ruling, it was noted that McGlynn had no clear explanation for his actions, other than stating he was in disbelief and acted out of emotion. The group chat consisted of friends who shared a passion for ice hockey, and McGlynn had not only played the sport with both victims but also looked up to them as idols.
Background of the Tragic Incident
The case stems from a devastating crash on August 29, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. Johnny Gaudreau, aged 31, and his brother Matthew, aged 29, were struck and killed while riding bicycles single-file. The tragedy occurred on the eve of their sister's wedding, which was subsequently postponed for nearly a year.
Authorities allege that the driver, Sean Higgins, aged 45, was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Prosecutors reported that Higgins had a blood alcohol level of 0.087, slightly above New Jersey's legal limit of 0.08, though he is contesting this result in court. Investigators also found that both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were married fathers, had blood alcohol levels of 0.129 or higher at the time of the crash.
Ongoing Legal Case Against the Driver
Higgins has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide. He previously turned down a plea deal that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence. If convicted on all counts, he now faces a potential sentence of up to 70 years behind bars. His case remains pending, with a court appearance scheduled for April 14.
This incident highlights the severe consequences of breaching confidentiality in sensitive roles, particularly in cases involving high-profile individuals. The upholding of McGlynn's dismissal underscores the importance of maintaining professional ethics and legal standards in handling private information.
