A New Jersey morgue employee was fired after leaking particulars concerning the deaths of an NHL star and his brother. State officers upheld the choice | EUROtoday

A New Jersey morgue attendant who shared confidential particulars concerning the deaths of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, in a bunch chat with fellow hockey gamers has formally misplaced his job for good, after state officers upheld his firing following a prolonged authorized battle.

The Gloucester County Medical Examiner’s Office moved to fireside Connor McGlynn, who labored as an assistant on the Gloucester County Medical Examiner’s Office, in September 2024, however he appealed the choice. In December 2025, an administrative legislation decide really useful a lesser penalty of a six-month suspension. However, the Civil Service Commission finally voted 3-2 in February to uphold his dismissal, with data of the choice posted on-line in Thursday, the Courier Post reported.

McGlynn despatched a photograph of his personal notes concerning the deaths simply hours after the deadly crash, exposing delicate particulars such because the brothers’ start dates, dwelling addresses, specifics concerning the incident and the responding trooper’s cellphone quantity, in accordance with court docket data reviewed by the outlet.

The message was initially despatched to a small group of teammates, lots of whom knew the Gaudreau household personally. However, one recipient later posted the picture publicly on social media with out McGlynn’s data, triggering an inside investigation.

“McGlynn had no explanation for why he would send the picture in the text, other than that he was in disbelief and acted out of emotion,” the ruling said, according to the Courier Post.

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, the outlet says.

The case stems from an August 29, 2024, crash in Oldmans Township where Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were struck and killed while riding bicycles single-file. Authorities say the driver, Sean Higgins, 45, was allegedly drunk at the time. The tragedy occurred on the eve of the brothers’ sister’s wedding, which was later postponed nearly a year.

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 that result in court as he awaits trial. Authorities allege he admitted to drinking five or six alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel and was trying to pass slower vehicles when he struck the Gaudreau brothers.

Investigators additionally discovered that each Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who had been married fathers, had blood alcohol ranges of 0.129 or larger on the time of the crash.

Higgins has pleaded not responsible to a number of fees, together with aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular murder, after beforehand turning down a plea deal that might have despatched him to jail for 35 years.

He now faces a possible sentence of as much as 70 years behind bars if he’s convicted on all counts. His case stays pending, with a court docket look scheduled for April 14.