Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Authorities investigating the tragic death of Brett Gardner’s teenage son Miller have suggested that he could have been killed by carbon monoxide poisoning. Miller Gardner passed away the age of 14 years old on March 21 while on a family vacation at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
According to reports, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency says that carbon monoxide exposure at the hotel the Gardner family was staying at is what may have killed Miller Gardner, who passed away in his sleep. It has not been ruled as his official cause of death, however, as officials are still waiting for the final toxicology report.
Rándall Zúñiga, the director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, held a press conference earlier this week. Zúñiga revealed that high levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the Gardner family’s hotel room.
Translation of Zúñiga’s comments via TMZ indicate that the Gardner’s room was “located next to ‘a specialized machine room’ which may have caused the contamination, leading Miller to inhale a fatal amount of ‘these highly dangerous gases.'”
“Miller died in his sleep on March 19 after he and other members of his family had fallen ill. At first, officials thought he might have died from asphyxia because his body was found with vomit on it. When that was ruled out, investigators suggested he may have had a severe case of food poisoning. The OIJ has been working with the United States FBI to investigate Miller’s death. The investigation is still open as officials wait for the final toxicology results. Therefore, no official cause of death has been confirmed.” [via TMZ]
Carbon monoxide leaks are considered to be largely avoidable if proper precautions are taken and maintenance is upkept. At the very least, they’re surely detectable via propely-functioning carbon monoxide detectors. Should the toxicology report come back to confirm that carbon monoxide poisoning was Miller’s cause of death, the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort will surely come under intense scrutiny and perhaps face legal repercussions.
“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. Our prayers go out to Miller’s teammates and friends, as well as to all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief. Please respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing,” the Gardner family said in a statement immediately following Miller’s passing.
Brett Gardner, 41 years old, spent his entire MLB career with the New York Yankees from 2008 to 2021, winning a World Series with the team in 2009. During his 14-year-long career, Gardner had a .256 batting average, 1,470 hits, 139 home runs, 578 RBIs, and 274 stolen bases.
Our thoughts are with the Gardner family during this extremely difficult time. May Miller rest in peace.