I'm thinking that until you disassemble, guessing why or how will be the only thing available. Fatigue is funny; sometimes not obvious until after the failure. You may not know what your jeep went through before you got it. The transmission guy may not have inspected this real close (were there stress cracks already forming?).
I've had a couple of driven plates (friction plates) fail around the springs, but I've not read about this type of failure that I can recall. IF you can, take it apart and see for yourself what may have happened.
If you can't source a replacement here (WTB), Try Harry Sheets:
http://www.midwestwillys.com/