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Sean Higgins Charged In Johnny Gaudreau Death

Sean Higgins is an accused killer from New Jersey who has been charged in the deaths of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau

According to police reports Sean Higgins was allegedly drunk when he was driving in Woodstown New Jersey when he attempted to pass a slow moving vehicle. When he attempted to pull back into the lane a vehicle in front of him had mover over to safely avoid two cyclists. Higgins attempted to pass the vehicle on the right where he would strike Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau killing the pair of brothers who were in town to attend their sisters wedding. Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau would die from their injuries

Sean Higgins would be arrested and has been charged with two counts of second degree vehicle manslaughter, reckless driving, possession of an open container, improper passing and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Sean Higgins News

The suspected drunk driver accused of killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, in Salem County, New Jersey, remains behind bars on a slew of charges, including vehicular homicide.

The crash happened Thursday around 8:30 p.m. on Pennsville Auburn Road (County Route 551) near Stumpy Lane in Oldmans Township.

Police say Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, was traveling north on Pennsville Auburn Road in a Jeep Grand Cherokee when he allegedly attempted to pass a slower-moving sedan and SUV.

Police say Higgins entered the southbound lane of the roadway and passed the sedan

When he attempted to reenter the northbound lane, police say the SUV in front of him moved into the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes in order to safely pass two bicyclists on the right side of the road.

Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the Gaudreau brothers from behind, troopers said.

The Gaudreau brothers died from their injuries, according to state police.

According to the police affidavit, the trooper who arrived on the scene detected a “strong odor of alcohol,” and Higgins allegedly told the trooper he had consumed “five to six beers” before the crash.

Higgins allegedly told investigators that he thought the driver of the SUV was trying to stop him from passing. Higgins told investigators that his consumption of alcohol contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, according to the criminal complaint.

Witnesses reportedly told police that they observed Higgins approaching them from behind, adding that he appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed.

The trooper also said Higgins then failed a field sobriety test.

Action News has learned that Higgins is a field artillery officer assigned to the New Jersey Army National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters. He is a part-time traditional Drill Status Guardsman and was not on duty at the time of the incident.

The New Jersey Army National Guard could not comment on Higgins’ service, but released this statement on the deadly crash: “We are profoundly saddened by this tragedy,” said Col Yvonne L. Mays, Acting Adjutant General of New Jersey. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and we share in the grief of the Gaudreau family.”

In a post on Facebook, Gaudenzia, a drug and alcohol abuse treatment provider, identified Higgins as an employee but said that he had been immediately placed on leave.

During Friday’s first appearance hearing, Judge Michael Silvanio explained to Higgins the charges against him, adding that two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Other charges include reckless driving, possession of an open container, improper passing and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Higgins is being held at Salem County Correctional Facility, where he will remain until a detention hearing on Sept. 5.

On Friday, he made an initial court appearance via Zoom.

He spoke briefly to say he understood the charges and would be hiring his own attorney.

As he was being excused from the court, he did question how long he was staying behind bars: “So…I’m here until Thursday?”

The Gaudreau brothers were riding their bicycles, not far from their family home, when they were struck and killed. The Gaudreau family had gathered in Salem County to attend the wedding of the men’s sister, Katie, which had been scheduled for Friday. The event was canceled.

The widow of Johnny paid tribute to him in a pair of social media posts on Saturday, calling him her “forever” and praising him as the “best dad” to their young children.

Meredith Gaudreau also shared family photos of her late husband celebrating his 31st birthday earlier in August with her, daughter Noa and son Johnny.

“Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I love you so so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was the hockey coach at the men’s high school alma mater, Gloucester Catholic in New Jersey, and he also was an expectant father. His wife, Madeline, is expecting their first child in December.

The brothers also leave behind their parents and two sisters.

Johnny and Matthew played hockey at Boston College.

After playing for teams in the AHL and ECHL, Matthew returned home to South Jersey, where he served as the head hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic.

Johnny went on to play 11 professional seasons for the NHL, starting his career with the Calgary Flames and most recently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

https://6abc.com/post/sean-higgins-woodstown-nj-johnny-gaudreau-crash-drunk-driver-salem-county/15253326

Bobby Singh Shah Murders Muna Pandey

Bobby Singh Shah is an accused killer from Texas who has been charged with the murder of Muna Pandey

According to police reports twenty one year old nursing student Muna Pandey was found shot to death inside of her Houston Texas apartment. Someone had called the manager of the building and told the manager that a dead body was located inside of the apartment. When the manager called 911 officers would find the body of Muna Pandey who had been shot multiple times including to the back of the head

Due to being stalked the year before Muna Pandey had a security camera installed over her front door and when police gained access to the security footage they would see the young woman and a a man later identified as Bobby Singh Shah approaching her apartment shortly before the brutal murder. Singh Shah could be seen leaving the apartment following the murder carrying a purse belonging to Pandey

Bobby Singh Shah would be arrested and has been charged with murder

Bobby Singh Shah News

Bobby Singh Shah was apprehended on Wednesday evening during a traffic stop in northwest Houston, following a coordinated effort by HPD SWAT officers, the HPD Crime Reduction Unit, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Pandey, a nursing student and sales representative, was discovered deceased in her apartment at 6363 West Airport Boulevard on Monday evening (Aug. 26). She was found with multiple gunshot wounds after apartment staff received an anonymous tip and contacted authorities. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

An initial investigation led to the release of a surveillance image showing a man exiting Pandey’s apartment two days before her body was found. Authorities later identified the suspect as Shah, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office filed a capital murder charge against him

In the wake of her death, a GoFundMe account has been established to assist Pandey’s mother, Anita, with travel expenses to Houston and funeral costs. The funds raised will help Anita, who is overseas, be present for her daughter’s final journey and ensure Muna receives a proper farewell.

As the investigation continues, no further details have been released by authorities.

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/man-arrested-charged-murder-muna-pandey-gofundme-set-up-funeral-costs

Matthew Farwell Murders Sandra Birchmore

Matthew Farwell is an accused killer from Massachusetts who has been charged with the murder of Sandra Birchmore

According to police reports Matthew Farwell is a former police officer at the Stoughton Police Department who began having an affair with Sandra Birchmore when she was just fifteen years old and he was twenty six years old. Reports are indicating that he groomed the teen and would have sex with her at multiple locations including while he was on duty

In 2021 Sandra Birchmore was found dead at her Canton home and the cause of death was listed as a suicide. However there was much speculation surrounding her death. Now it has been revealed that Sandra was pregnant at the time of her death and that Matthew Farwell allegedly killed her to cover up the affair and that he been sexually abusing the woman since she was fifteen years old

It is believed that Matthew Farwell used a duffel bag strap to strangle the woman

Matthew Farwell has been charged with murder and destroying evidence

Matthew Farwell News

A former Massachusetts police officer is in custody and facing charges that he murdered his pregnant mistress to hide their affair — which started when she was underage.

Matthew Farwell, 38, was indicted on charges he killed Sandra Birchmore by strangling her inside her Canton home in 2021, to ensure that their affair stayed secret. Farwell, who resigned from the Stoughton Police Department in 2022, had been an officer with the department as well as an instructor at the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy, where he met the victim.

According to a federal indictment, investigators say that Farwell immediately began grooming Birchmore for a sexual relationship that began when he was 26 and she was 15 years old. At times, according to prosecutors, Farwell would meet Birchmore for sex acts while he was on the clock and supposed to be working as a police officer

Messages between Farwell and the victim refer to sexual violence, but Birchmore was allegedly eager to have a child. Farwell is accused of agreeing to father a child on the condition that Birchmore keep their relationship a secret. But once she was pregnant, Birchmore allegedly told her friends that Farwell became physically violent and described being pushed, shoved and placed in a chokehold.

Investigators say Farwell plotted his mistress’ death, even getting her to give him a key to her home. During a looming blizzard on Feb. 1, while his wife was in labor with their third child, prosecutors say that Farwell wore a mask, used his key to get into her home and strangled her to death with a duffle bag strap. Farwell is accused of then staging the scene to look like a suicide.

The prosecution has asked a judge to hold Farwell behind bars until trial: “There are no conditions of release that will protect the community from a defendant whose conduct reveals such an indifference to human life.”

The indictment also accuses Farwell of attempting to destroy evidence in the case, even instructing Birchmore to delete evidence of their sexual relationship from her phone before her death.

Birchmore’s family has separately filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Farwell and the Stoughton Police Department.

In a statement after the charges were announced, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara said in a statement, “The day after Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her Canton apartment, I ordered a lengthy and aggressive internal affairs investigation, the instructions of which made it clear that no stone should be left unturned. The Stoughton Police Department has supported other agencies and worked with other agencies, including the FBI investigation that today resulted in a murder indictment that concluded that Sandra was killed. The alleged murder of Sandra is a horrific injustice. The allegations against the suspect, a former Stoughton Police Officer, represent the single worst act of not just professional misconduct but indeed human indecency that I have observed in a nearly three-decade career in law enforcement. It has been my life’s work over these past three years to ensure that justice was served. As I have stated previously, Sandra Birchmore received no justice during her life. It is imperative that justice be served in her death, and today’s actions appear to bring our society one step closer to justice.”

If convicted, Farwell faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

https://www.courttv.com/news/former-officer-accused-of-killing-sandra-birchmore-staging-suicide

Joseph Ayala Wanted For 2 Toronto Murders

Police in Toronto, Ontario, Canada are searching for Joseph Ayala who is wanted for two murders as two women were found dead inside of a home

According to police reports a relative would call police and ask for a wellness check be performed after they had not heard from the pair. Police would arrive at the Toronto home and discover the bodies of a sixty year old and a eighty two year old women deceased. Police have not released the names of the two victims however they were identified as Joseph Ayala mother and grandmother

Police immediately begin to search for Joseph Ayala who resided with the two women however they have been unable to find him as of yet

Joseph Ayala has been charged with two counts of second degree murder

Joseph Ayala News

Toronto police continue to look for a 33-year-old man wanted for murder in connection with the deaths of his two female relatives.

On Friday afternoon, officers found an 82-year-old woman and a 60-year-old woman dead inside a home in the area of Sheldon and Silvercrest avenues. Police said a concerned family member called them to ask that they check on their relatives at that Etobicoke home

We came here to confirm that they were okay and, unfortunately, did not work out that way,” Det. Sgt. Jason Davis of the homicide unit told reporters on Friday. He did not disclose the nature of their injuries.

The women are the city’s 53rd and 54th homicide victims of this year.

Davis said police were “actively looking” for a relative of the victims, Joseph Ayala, who is wanted for two counts of second-degree murder.

While police have not identified the victims, a family member told CTV News Toronto that Ayala lived in the home with his mother and grandmother.

The family member said the 33-year-old, who was raised in the home, has been struggling with mental illness and not taking his prescribed medication regularly.

Speaking to CTV News Toronto, the neighbours said the grandmother was named Colleen, while the mother was named Sherry.

Linda Robinson grew up in the neighbourhood and said she knew the family well, sharing that she would always see Colleen outside her home and talk to her.

“I don’t know if I could do this. Because I’m looking for her outside on her chair, she’s supposed to be out there, but she’s not out there. It’s hard,” Robinson said.

Police have released photos of Ayala, who is described as five-foot-11 and has a shaved head. He is known to wear a cowboy hat, a cowboy-style jacket with tassels on the sleeve and black cowboy boots.

“If the public does see Mr. Ayala, please call 9-1-1. Please do not engage with him. Contact us, and we will be there as quickly as possible,” Davis said.

Susan Armstrong, who has lived in the area for more than five decades, saw Ayala walk by her house Friday morning with the clothes police mentioned he was last seen wearing. She told CTV News Toronto that she felt “sick.”

“Because now it concerns me if he has not been found that he’s in some of these garden sheds, and he’ll still show up. So we’ll keep our doors locked. That’s for sure,” Armstrong said.

Another neighbour, Zelia Vouloukos, also saw Ayala Friday.

“I got like the creeps because I’m sitting on my porch, and he’s just walking up and down the street, and he’s talking to himself, and then he disappears,” Vouloukos told CTV News Toronto.

Davis said it was too early in the investigation to determine the motive.

As of Saturday afternoon, Ayala remains at large.

https://www.cp24.com/news/search-continues-for-man-wanted-for-murder-in-deaths-of-two-female-relatives-in-etobicoke-1.7013192

Shawn Gossett Murders 4 In Fatal Florida Fire

Shawn Gossett is an alleged killer from Florida who has been charged with the murders of four people and of three dogs

According to police reports a fire would rage through a home in Plant City Florida killing four members of the family and killing three of their dogs. The only resident of the home not injured was Shawn Gossett

After speaking with police Shawn Gossett would reportedly admit to setting the house on fire however he would not give officers any reason on why. Shawn Gossett was not related to the family that died

Shawn Gossett would be arrested and has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder along with charges of animal cruelty and arson.

Shawn Gossett News

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man after he intentionally started a house fire, resulting in the deaths of four people and three dogs.

On July 31, 2024, at 12:08 a.m., HCSO received a call about a potential fire on South County Line Road.

While Hillsborough County Fire Rescue was extinguishing the house fire, they discovered four deceased adults inside.

Through investigative means, detectives learned Shawn Gossett, 25, a resident of the home, started the fire with the intent to burn the house down.

Based on the investigation, detectives arrested and charged Gossett with four counts of Murder in the First Degree While Engaged in Arson, three counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, and one count of Arson of a Dwelling.

“This is an utterly senseless and horrific crime where four innocent lives were tragically taken due to the evil actions of this man,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “I want to commend our detectives and our partners at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue for their swift actions which resulted in the arrest of this individual and their relentless efforts to ensure justice is served.”

At this time, HCSO is working in collaboration with the Medical Examiner’s Office and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue on positively identifying the victims. This information will be released once it is available.

Shawn Gossett Other News

Hillsborough County 911 dispatchers received a terrifying call just after midnight Wednesday morning — three people and five dogs were trapped in a burning home near Plant City.

Rescuers arrived to find a house roaring with fire. They discovered three people in one part of the home and pulled them out a window. They found a fourth in another part of the home.

All were dead. So were three dogs.

Hours later, sheriff’s officials announced a swift arrest: A man who had lived at the house had intentionally set it ablaze with a Bic lighter and paper towels.

The people killed were all family members, though the man accused of the crimes, Shawn Gossett, 25, was not. He was charged with four counts of first-degree murder along with charges of animal cruelty and arson.

Sheriff’s officials said Gossett, who was uninjured, admitted to the crimes, but his motive was unclear.

“This is an utterly senseless and horrific crime where four innocent lives were tragically taken due to the evil actions of this man,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news release.

In a news conference, Hillsborough Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer told reporters that Gossett was friends with the family and they lived together at 6655 S. County Line Road.

Firefighters arrived there about eight minutes after being dispatched and worked to put out the blaze, fire rescue officials said. Crews brought the fire under control within 20 minutes.

The sheriff’s office is working with the Medical Examiner’s Office and Fire Rescue to identify the victims.

Property records show the main building on the 3.85-acre property is a two-bedroom manufactured home built in 1994. Edison Arias bought the property in 2020.

Arias declined to comment when reached Wednesday morning before the sheriff’s office announced Gossett’s arres

https://www.tampabay.com/news/breaking-news/2024/07/31/4-found-dead-plant-city-house-fire