Morgue Worker Fired For Leaking Details Of Gaudreau Brothers' Deaths In South Jersey

The firing of a former Gloucester County morgue employee who was accused of leaking confidential information about the deaths of hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew was upheld, the New Jersey Civil Service Commission has decided.

In minutes released on Tuesday from their February meeting, the Commission voted 3-2 to affirm the termination of Connor J. McGlynn, referred to as "C.M." along with other details matching the case, based on charges of incompetency, inefficiency or failure to perform duties, insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, neglect of duty, and other sufficient cause.

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were riding bikes along County Road 551 North in Oldmans Township on Aug. 29, 2024 when they were hit by an alleged drunk driver on the eve of their sister's wedding.

Later that night, photos of notes began circulating on social media that identified both brothers and information about the collision.

There was also a screenshot of a text message chain that involved McGlynn, a morgue assistant working with the medical examiner's office under the direction of Gloucester County.

McGlynn, who shared the ice with the Gaudreau brothers and knew them both personally, was fired in September 2024 after he admitted to sharing the information, court documents said.

Court filings also said McGlynn was not the person who published the details to social media.

He was supposed to be at a hockey game that night and had messaged the group, which included other players scheduled to play that night who also knew the Gaudreaus, to inform them that he would not be able to make the event due to working on the case.

On November 19, 2024, McGlynn appealed the firing with the Civil Services Commission, which then transferred the case to the Office of Administrative Law.

On Dec. 10, Judge Allison Friedman decided that McGlynn should not be fired, but rather suspended for six months and be awarded back pay.

Her decision, she said, was based on his accountability, communication with supervisors, others' desire to still work with McGlynn, the lack of policy and training for cases when there is a personal connection, and his lack of any prior wrongdoing with discipline.

Upon review, the Civil Service Commission affirmed the decision to fire McGlynn based on historical disciplinary action, or lack thereof, not mitigating the severity of this situation, and the damage done in the public's view to trust in first responders and the quality of work and confidence they had in the Office of the Medical Examiner.

The case into the deaths of the Gaudreaus now moves to a pre-trial conference for Sean Higgins, the 45-year-old accused of killing the brothers.

Higgins and his legal team recently filed a motion to dismiss an indictment regarding the accuracy of the claim that he was legally intoxicated while driving the SUV.

RELATED COVERAGE: Widow Of NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau Announces Pregnancy At Memorial

Known as "Johnny Hockey," Johnny starred for the National Hockey League's (NHL) Columbus Blue Jackets and was known around the league as a prominent face of the sport in America. His brother, Matthew, also played professionally for the development-tier American Hockey League (AHL) before turning to coaching.

Their memories were honored just weeks ago on the world stage in the stands and on the ice during the 2026 Winter Olympics by the gold medal-winning U.S. Men's Hockey Team.

Along with tributes on screen, players carried Johnny's kids out on the ice with a No. 13 United States jersey in honor of their father for the ceremonial championship picture.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau, Brother Killed By Drunk Driver In NJ: Police
• NJ Man Accused Of Killing NHL Star, Brother In Drunken Crash Appears In Court

MORE FROM PATCH: Woman Arrested After Hit-And-Run Crash In Gloucester County, Authorities Say

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