Brett Gardner And Family Receive Another Possible Cause Of Death For 14-Year-Old Son
By Afouda Bamidele on April 1, 2025 at 10:30 AM EDT
Authorities are still investigating to determine the cause of Brett Gardner's son’s death.
The baseball player’s 14-year-old son may have passed away from chemical poisoning, according to tests carried out on his body.
Miller Gardner passed away in his sleep on March 19 following an illness that affected several members of his family. Initially, authorities suspected asphyxia as the cause of death, as his body was discovered with vomit on it.
Brett Gardner's Son May Have Died From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The official announcement by Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) on Monday suggested that Miller may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
OIJ Director Rándall Zúñiga revealed that high levels of carbon monoxide were found in the Gardner family's hotel room at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio.
The room was reportedly situated next to a specialized machine room, which could have contributed to the contamination, potentially causing Miller to inhale a lethal amount of the gases.
If carbon monoxide was ruled out as the cause of death, investigators indicated that food poisoning might have played a role instead. The OIJ is collaborating with the FBI to probe Miller's death, which remains under investigation as officials await final toxicology results.
Consequently, TMZ noted that no official cause of death has yet been established.
The Gardner Family Will Have To Wait For About 90 Days To Get A Definitive Report
As shared by The Blast, Miller was found unresponsive in his bed after they all experienced severe stomach issues, including vomiting and diarrhea, following a family dinner the night before.
Unfortunately, Costa Rican authorities have indicated that the family may have to wait up to three months for the autopsy results due to a significant backlog in the forensic system.
This delay is attributed to an alarming rise in gang-related homicides in the country, which has strained resources. The Judicial Investigations Agency confirmed that an autopsy was performed, but many forensic teams are currently occupied with lots of homicide cases, primarily linked to violent drug turf wars.
Senior official Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia noted that the surge in violence has led to approximately 1,800 murders in the past two years, with a staggering 63% associated with organized crime.
The Restaurant Insisted They Had No Role In Miller’s Tragic Death
On March 20, samples of the food served at the Gardners' dinner were collected for analysis in connection with the investigation into Miller's death.
There is a possibility of prosecution if the results indicate that food may have played a role. One restaurant, Le Papillon at Hotel La Mariposa, has denied involvement.
The establishment clarified that the Gardners dined there three days before the incident and labeled any claims linking them to Miller’s death as “entirely false and unfounded.” Juan confirmed that all necessary samples have been taken and the autopsy process is complete, though the wait for results continues.
Meanwhile, Arenas Del Mar, where the family was staying, expressed their sorrow over the loss, stating, “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time."
They emphasized their commitment to cooperating fully with authorities to uncover the factors leading to this tragic event, which remain unclear.
The World Series Champion And His Wife Broke Their Silence On Their Son’s Death
In a heartfelt statement released shortly after his passing, the baseball champ and his wife expressed their sorrow. They mourned that Miller left them too soon after falling ill while on vacation, along with several family members.
The couple shared their confusion and heartache, highlighting Miller’s passions for football, baseball, golf, hunting, and fishing and his love for family and friends. “He lived life to the fullest every single day,” the couple declared of their late son.
The US State Department added that they were monitoring the investigation into the cause of death while maintaining respect for the family's privacy during this difficult time.
Brett Gardner’s Son’s Remains Was Released To His Family
As shared by The Blast, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigations Police confirmed that the remains of the teen have been returned to Brett and his family.
Investigations reportedly continue into the circumstances of his death at the Arena Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort, located near Manuel Antonio National Park.
Reports show that Miller's family may have suffered from food poisoning the evening before his passing. Local physician Dr. Kevin Gannon, who heads the Manuel Antonio Urgent Care, stated that emergency responders found Miller “clinically dead” upon their arrival.
Despite attempts to provide advanced life support CPR. Dr. Gannon described the situation as “confusing,” noting that his team could not determine a cause of death at the scene.
Sending strength to Brett Gardner and the family as they navigate this difficult time.
