Authorities have officially determined the cause of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner’s youngest son’s death. According to toxicology results released on Wednesday night, April 2, by the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) of Costa Rica.
According to reports, a family member found Miller Gardner dead in his hotel room on March 21 while they were staying at the Arenas Del Mar resort in Costa Rica. He had reportedly been on vacation with his family when the tragedy occurred.
What Was the Cause of Death for Brett Gardner’s Son, Miller?
A toxicology report has revealed carbon monoxide to be the cause of Brett Gardner’s son’s death. Two days after Zúñiga and local authorities announced that carbon monoxide poisoning was the likely cause, the report confirmed it.
The general director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigative Agency, Randall Zúñiga, reported that in the toxicology result, the carboxyhemoglobin test showed a saturation level of 64%. Zúñiga further revealed that carboxyhemoglobin concentrations of above 50% are already lethal.
According to the National Institutes of Health, red blood cells form carboxyhemoglobin when hemoglobin is exposed to carbon monoxide. This basically describes how dangerous and deadly exposure to that degree of carbon monoxide can be.
Statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner:
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 23, 2025
With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many… pic.twitter.com/lBCBVmKGUe
Zúñiga also stated that the autopsy revealed a distinct layer on Miller’s organs, which forms when someone dies from inhaling carbon monoxide gases. This layer was clearly visible during the examination. Authorities also conducted tests to check for drugs like fentanyl, but all results came back negative.
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Where Did the Carbon Monoxide Exposure Occur?
After a series of investigations, authorities discovered that Miller’s hotel room had “high levels” of carbon monoxide gas exposure when he died suddenly. On Monday, March 31, Zúñiga claimed that a nearby machine room, suspected of contamination, may have caused the incident next to the hotel room where Miller had been sleeping.
The hotel has, however, strongly disputed these claims. “Nonetheless, the initial investigative findings indicate that this contamination caused the incident, with levels as high as 600 parts per million detected—when the appropriate level in this case should be zero,” Zúñiga added.
Carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of the teenage son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, authorities in Costa Rica said. https://t.co/KU3xfmEbHH
— ESPN (@espn) April 3, 2025
What Were the Initial Speculations About Miller Gardner’s Cause of Death?
Brett Gardner’s family was staying at the Arenas Del Mar resort when his son Miller and other family members reported feeling ill after dining at a nearby restaurant during their vacation. Miller, however, was later found unresponsive in his bed, as he had passed away in his sleep.
This initially led investigators to believe he may have choked to death. But they later discovered that his windpipe was clear and not blocked. Doctor Kevin Gannon, who was part of the team that rushed to Miller, ruled out food poisoning or the possibility that he had suffered an allergic reaction before death.
He told the New York Post, “Some people are saying it was anaphylactic shock from food he ate.” “But I will say it is very, very rare for a patient to eat food and go that long without a reaction,” he added. Gannon told PEOPLE that Miller was clinically dead when they had arrived on the scene. He added that his team carried out CPR for 30 minutes, but it was unsuccessful.
The Forensic Pathology Section performed an autopsy and ruled out all initial speculations, including asphyxia. Authorities have now closed the case and will send the toxicology report to the Department of Forensic Medicine while the Gardner family waits to bring Miller’s body back to the US.
ALSO READ: Brother of Indiana Mom Who Died on Flight Reveals Cause of Death
Costa Rican officials suspect the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner died from possible "food intoxication" while vacationing with his family. https://t.co/QBkRmEm6Ll pic.twitter.com/p1SpaBFuqC
— ABC News (@ABC) March 25, 2025
How Has the Gardner Family Responded to the Tragedy?
Miller is the younger of the Gardners’ two sons and is survived by his father, Brett; mother, Jessica; and older brother, Hunter. Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica, have responded to the tragedy by releasing a statement announcing their son’s passing on March 23.
“Miller was a beloved son and brother, and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,” the Gardners said in their statement through the Yankees. “We are so thankful to all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time, and we are confident our faith, family, and friends will help us navigate this unimaginable loss.”
Before the opening-day baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in New York, Yankees players observed a moment of silence for Miller to express their condolences to his father, former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner. Brett Gardner had spent his entire MLB career with the Yankees, spanning 14 years. The Yankees also issued a statement in response to Miller’s death.
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