In a heartbreaking and tragic update, authorities in Costa Rica are investigating the death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner, the son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner. According to the Costa Rican Judicial Investigative Agency (OIJ), high levels of carbon monoxide were found in the family’s hotel room, suggesting that it could be the cause of Miller’s death.

Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica Gardner, were on vacation in Costa Rica when their son tragically passed away on the morning of Friday, March 21st. The family had been staying at the Arenas Del Mar hotel in Manuel Antonio, and after dining at a nearby Italian restaurant, all four family members began to feel ill. By 11 p.m. local time, the family’s symptoms worsened, and the hotel called a doctor to treat their stomach issues.

The following morning, Miller Gardner was found dead in his room, with traces of vomit nearby. His death, initially thought to be due to food poisoning or asphyxiation in his sleep, is now suspected to be linked to carbon monoxide poisoning. According to OIJ General Director Randall Zúñiga, the contamination may have originated from a specialized machine room near the family’s room, potentially causing the carbon monoxide to leak into the guest rooms.

The OIJ is working in collaboration with the FBI in the United States to investigate further, waiting for the final results from forensic toxicology. The Costa Rican authorities have interviewed the doctor, hotel, and restaurant employees, and are reviewing security footage to gather more information.

The Gardner family expressed their devastation in a statement released by the Yankees, saying they had many questions but were certain that Miller passed away peacefully. “We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep,” they stated.

The family has also confirmed that other members of the family were affected by the illness during the vacation, and authorities are working diligently to uncover the full details of the tragic incident

Miller Gardner’s death has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of his family, friends, teammates, and coaches. The Gardner family has shared their reflections on his life in an obituary, describing how they will forever cherish the memories of their time together. The obituary, published in the Charleston Post and Courier, emphasized the lasting impact Miller had on everyone he met.