Miller Gardner, 14-year-old son of Yankees legend Brett Gardner, died unexpectedly while vacationing with his family in Costa Rica. The tragedy occurred on March 21, shocking fans and leaving investigators scrambling for answers.
Miller fell ill during the trip. Several other family members also became sick. At first, doctors suspected food poisoning. But that theory quickly fell apart.
Investigators Find Carbon Monoxide in the Room
On Monday, Costa Rican officials revealed new evidence. Randall Zúñiga, the head of the country’s Judicial Investigative Agency, confirmed high levels of carbon monoxide in the Gardner family’s hotel room.
Tests showed the dangerous gas had spread from a nearby mechanical room. “We believe the machinery next door leaked contamination into guest rooms,” Zúñiga said during a press conference.
The hotel room, located just steps away from the mechanical equipment, became a deadly trap. Officials said carbon monoxide levels reached 600 parts per million. The safe level should be zero.
FBI Joins the Case as Toxicology Reports Pending
The FBI is now working with Costa Rican investigators. Both agencies are waiting for final toxicology results. Those could take several weeks. Still, authorities believe the gas leak likely caused Miller’s death.
Zúñiga added, “Initial findings point clearly to carbon monoxide contamination.” He also stressed the importance of further testing before closing the case.
Resort Doctors Tried to Save the Teen
Doctors rushed to help Miller when his family found him unresponsive. They performed CPR for over 30 minutes. Despite their efforts, they could not revive him.
The family had dined at the resort the night before. The resort, Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, responded to early food poisoning reports by distancing itself from the incident. But the carbon monoxide discovery has pulled the hotel back into the spotlight.
Tourists Cancel Trips After High-Profile Death
Since the tragedy, Costa Rica’s tourism industry has taken a hit. Hotel cancellations spiked. Families voiced concerns over safety. Many questioned why guest rooms had no carbon monoxide detectors.
The country had already faced similar problems. Just last month, three American tourists died in Belize. Investigators there blamed carbon monoxide poisoning too.
Family Remembers Miller with Heartfelt Tribute
On Monday, Brett Gardner and his wife released a touching obituary for their son. They asked the public for privacy during their grief. The couple has not filed a lawsuit but may pursue legal action.
Miller’s death has left doctors, authorities, and loved ones searching for answers. The young teen was full of life. His sudden passing stunned everyone.
Experts Urge Travelers to Carry CO Detectors
Carbon monoxide is invisible and has no smell. It kills silently. Most hotels in the region do not use detectors. Experts now urge travelers to pack portable alarms when visiting places without strong safety rules.
Until toxicology reports confirm the cause, the investigation will continue. But with gas levels that high, the warning signs are already clear. This tragedy in Costa Rica may have been preventable.
