Morgue worker's leak of Johnny Gaudreau death details leads to final ruling on appeal

A former morgue assistant in New Jersey has lost his appeal after being dismissed for leaking sensitive details related to the deaths of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, in a case that has drawn significant attention to the handling of private information in high-profile incidents.

Connor McGlynn, 34, was terminated from his position at the Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Office in 2024 after admitting he shared confidential details about the fatal incident with acquaintances. The leak occurred on the same night the Gaudreau brothers were killed, when they were struck by an SUV while cycling near their hometown in New Jersey, just a day before their sister Katie's wedding.

The sudden loss of the brothers, particularly Gaudreau's prominence as a well-known professional hockey player, amplified public interest and media coverage surrounding the tragedy.

Authorities charged Sean Higgins, 45, in connection with the collision, alleging he was driving under the influence at the time. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter and is currently awaiting trial.

The legal proceedings have continued to develop as both prosecution and defense present conflicting interpretations of the evidence, particularly regarding impairment.

Shortly after the crash, confidential materials-including handwritten notes containing personal details such as addresses and birth dates-began circulating online. These images appeared on platforms like X and Reddit, where users quickly shared and discussed the information.

Investigators later determined the material originated from a group text conversation that included McGlynn. The leak not only exposed sensitive victim information but also revealed the phone number of a responding state trooper, leading to an influx of unsolicited calls and causing disruption for law enforcement personnel involved in the case.

Appeal decision reinforces accountability

Following his dismissal on September 23, 2024, McGlynn challenged the termination through the state civil service system. However, in February 2026, the New Jersey Commission voted 3-2 to uphold the decision, effectively ending his appeal.

While the ruling avoided explicitly naming the victims, it referenced details consistent with the timing of the Gaudreau brothers' deaths and acknowledged their public prominence.

Administrative Law Judge Allison Friedman concluded that McGlynn had no adequate justification for sharing the information. The ruling suggested that his actions stemmed from emotional reaction rather than intent to harm, noting his reported remorse and prior record as a dependable employee.

However, the decision emphasized that even a momentary lapse in judgment can have serious professional consequences when handling confidential and sensitive materials.

At the same time, developments in the criminal case against Higgins have added further complexity. His defense attorney, Richard Klineburger, recently argued that revised toxicology analysis places Higgins's blood alcohol concentration at 0.075, below the legal threshold.

This contrasts with earlier figures presented by prosecutors, who had cited a higher level of 0.087. The defense claims the discrepancy is due to differences in testing methods, specifically that plasma rather than whole blood may have been analyzed.

Despite these arguments, testimony from responding officers indicated signs of alcohol consumption at the scene, including the odor of alcohol and statements allegedly made by Higgins acknowledging prior drinking.