Nearly three months after Brett Gardner’s teenage son died on a family vacation, Costa Rican authorities launched a murder investigation. Violent illness struck the Gardner family on March 21, and they later found Miller Gardner, Brett Gardner’s youngest son, unresponsive in his room.
The Gardners had been staying at Arenas Del Mar, a luxury beachfront resort charging over $1,000 per night. At first, suspicions pointed to food poisoning or a medication reaction. Then came a chilling turn: doctors confirmed Miller died from carbon monoxide inhalation.
Authorities Dig Deeper Into The Tragedy
Sharon Hernandez Coto, spokesperson for Costa Rica’s Prosecutor’s Office, told ESPN this week that homicide remains on the table.
“The purpose of the investigation is precisely to determine whether or not we are dealing with a possible homicide,” she said. “For this reason, it is not possible at this time to confirm or rule out that a crime has been committed.”
Officials remain focused on one central question: Was Miller’s death natural, or was someone responsible?
Randall Zuniga, general director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), stated in April that Miller’s carbon monoxide saturation was “above 50%,” a level considered lethal. “Other drug tests were conducted, including fentanyl and other substances; all were negative,” Zuniga added.
The resort pushed back, claiming carbon monoxide levels in the Gardners’ room were “non-existent and non-lethal,” blaming fumes on a nearby mechanical room. Authorities, however, sealed the suite for investigation.
The night before Miller’s death, he, his parents Brett and Jessica, and brother Hunter dined at an outside restaurant. Hours later, all four fell violently ill. By morning, a family member found Miller unresponsive. Medics tried for 30 minutes to revive him but failed.
On March 23, the Gardners released a heartbreaking statement through the Yankees. “Miller was a beloved son and brother… he passed away peacefully in his sleep,” they wrote. “We have so many questions and so few answers.”
Brett Gardner, who won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009 and played with the team until 2021, has not spoken publicly since. As of now, Costa Rican authorities have not set a timeline for when this heartbreaking investigation will end.
