It has been nearly three months since former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner’s son tragically died while on a family vacation in Costa Rica, and authorities in the country say they have not ruled out a homicide.
Gardner’s son Miller died in his sleep on March 21 while the Gardner family was vacationing in Costa Rica. Gardner and his wife Jessica said in an initial statement that they had “so many questions and so few answers” after Miller and several other family members became ill.
Officials in Costa Rica revealed roughly two weeks later that Miller died from carbon monoxide poisoning. High levels of carbon monoxide were reportedly detected inside the hotel room at the luxury resort where the Gardner family was staying.
The investigation remains open, however. Sharon Hernandez Coto, a press officer from the Prosecutor’s Office of Costa Rica, told ESPN on Thursday that authorities are still working “to determine whether the cause of death was a homicide or not, and, if so, to establish responsibility.”
The spokesperson was then asked whether investigating a death for homicide is standard procedure or if foul play was suspected.
“The purpose of the investigation is precisely to determine whether or not we are dealing with a possible homicide,” Hernandez Coto said. “For this reason, it is not possible at this time to confirm or rule out that a crime has been committed.”
Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department said in March that the Miller family had “gone to eat at a restaurant and that the food had made them sick.” The OIJ originally said Miller appeared to die from asphyxiation as a result of food poisoning. That was later ruled out, as the 14-year-old’s air passages were not obstructed at the time of his death.
Miller was the younger of two sons that Brett and his wife Jessica Gardner share together.
Gardner spent all 14 years of his MLB career with the Yankees. He was named an All-Star in 2015 and won a Gold Glove Award in 2016. Gardner was the starting center fielder for the last Yankees team to win a World Series in 2009.
A fan-favorite during his tenure in the Bronx, Gardner batted .256 for his career with 139 home runs and 578 RBI. He stole 274 bases and led the American League with 49 steals in 2011.
Gardner retired after the 2021 season.
