Funeral Plans Set For Miller Gardner As Family Still Waits For Answers

The family of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner has announced plans for a private funeral service honoring his 14-year-old son, Miller Gardner, whose sudden and tragic passing earlier this month in Costa Rica has shaken those closest to him.

Miller passed away on March 21 during a family vacation in Costa Rica.

According to an obituary published by The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina, the celebration of Miller’s life will take place at a later date at J. Henry Stuhr Northwoods Chapel.

The service will be private, reserved for family and loved ones still reeling from what has been described as an “unimaginable loss.”

“The void Miller’s passing leaves in the hearts of his family, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and others will be felt for years,” the obituary reads. “In this time of unimaginable loss, the family prays that joy and healing will come to others who share their grief.”

Miller, an eighth grader at Pinewood Preparatory School, was remembered as a bright, athletic student with a love for sports, adventure, and family. He was a proud member of both the baseball and football teams and consistently earned a spot on the Honor Roll.

“Outside of school, his hobbies included golf, fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes, and traveling to new places with his family,” the obituary continued. “The Gardner family will forever cherish the places they visited, the people they met, the friends they made, and the memories they created together.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made in Miller’s memory to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, honoring his spirit of adventure and generosity.

“Miller was so blessed with experiences and friendships in his 14 years, and he would want other children to have the opportunity to create their own wonderful memories,” the tribute read.

Emergency services were called to the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, where Miller had been staying with his parents, Brett and Jessica Gardner, and older brother, Hunter.

According to Dr. Kevin Gannon of Manuel Antonio Urgent Care, first responders arrived to find Miller “clinically dead,” with no vital signs. After 30 minutes of attempted resuscitation, he was pronounced deceased.

Authorities in Costa Rica initially considered asphyxiation but later ruled it out. Investigators are now examining whether Miller may have suffered an allergic reaction to medication given for what appeared to be food poisoning. All members of the Gardner family reportedly became ill after dining out the night before.

Arenas Del Mar, where the family had been staying, released a statement after the news broke. “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time," they said. "The factors that led to this tragic incident are unknown, and we are fully cooperating with authorities.”

Due to a sharp rise in gang-related homicides in the region, Costa Rica’s medical examiners are currently facing a severe backlog. As a result, the full results of Miller’s autopsy may take several more months to be completed.

“We’re having a hike in homicides as these drug gangs battle for territory and every one of them needs an autopsy,” senior official Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia told Daily Mail. “The full analysis and results will take at least two to three months.”

Costa Rica has reported nearly 1,800 homicides over the past two years, with approximately 63% believed to be connected to organized crime.

According to Alvarado, investigators have ruled out the initial theory that asphyxiation from vomiting due to food poisoning was to blame.

The focus has now turned to three other possibilities: an adverse or allergic reaction to medication given for the family’s symptoms, an undetected preexisting bacterial infection, or findings that may emerge from neuropathology and histology tests.

As The Blast reported earlier on Monday, Miller’s body has been returned to the family.