Authorities in Costa Rica have revealed the cause of death for the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner.
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.
Randall Zuniga, the director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), said on Wednesday night that an investigation has determined Miller died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Zuniga said Miller’s body was tested for carboxyhemoglobin, which is a compound generated when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood. Levels of carboxyhemoglobin saturation that exceed 50% are considered lethal, and Miller’s blood showed a 64% level of saturation.
Officials said earlier in the week that “high emissions of carbon monoxide contamination were detected” in the hotel room where the Gardner family was staying at Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort. Zuniga said the room is located next to a “dedicated machine room,” which is believed to have been the source of the carbon monoxide.
A Costa Rican judicial police official added that tests showed a “layer” on Miller’s organs, which forms when there is a high presence of toxic gas in the body.
The OIJ initially 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.
Hunter 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.
