It’s a story that tugs at every heartstring and still has no clear ending. Nearly three months after the tragic and sudden death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner—the youngest son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner—authorities in Costa Rica have confirmed the investigation is “still” open, and the cause of death may not be as straightforward as originally believed.
Miller passed away on March 21 while on a family vacation at the luxury Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, a $1,000-a-night eco-hotel nestled in Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio area.
The evening prior, Miller, his parents Brett and Jessica, and older brother Hunter all reportedly fell violently ill with stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea after dining at an offsite restaurant. But it was the following morning—when Miller was discovered unresponsive—that everything changed.
Initial reports suggested food poisoning or a severe allergic reaction could be the culprit. Then came the bombshell: Costa Rican authorities claimed Miller died from “carbon monoxide poisoning”. Randall Zuniga, head of the country’s judicial investigative agency (OIJ), stated that Miller had lethal levels of CO in his system—above 50% saturation, which is already considered fatal.
But that revelation sparked confusion and conflict. The resort pushed back hard, saying there was no carbon monoxide present in the family’s room and claiming early reports were flawed. According to them, the only area with detectable CO levels was a mechanical room guests never access. Still, as a precaution, Miller’s room remained cordoned off. Now, the waters are murkier than ever.
Sharon Hernandez Coto, a spokesperson for Costa Rica’s Prosecutor’s Office, recently confirmed that the case remains “active” and unresolved.
Authorities are not ruling anything out—including homicide. “The purpose of the investigation is precisely to determine whether or not we are dealing with a possible homicide,” she told ESPN. At this point, there is “no timeline” for a conclusion.
So here we are—months later, and still no definitive answers for the Gardners. The silence from the family is understandable. Grief this deep doesn’t have a script. In their only public statement, Brett and Jessica described their son as full of life, a boy who loved sports, the outdoors, and making people smile.
Brett Gardner, who wore the pinstripes with pride from 2008 to 2021 and helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series, is now grappling with a far more personal loss—one that no amount of championships can ease.
The questions still linger. Was it carbon monoxide? A medical episode? Something more sinister? For now, we wait. And hope that, eventually, the truth comes to light—for Miller, and for a family forever changed.
