Quepos, Costa Rica – Costa Rican authorities say it could take up to three months to determine who killed the 14-year-old son of former Yankee Brett Gardner.
Judicial Investigation Police in Central American countries said Miller Gardner's toxicology, histology and neuropathology test results were behind “due to high demand being carried out in the country due to an increase in murder.”
Costa Rica's murder rate hit an all-time high of 17.3 per 100,000 people in 2023, causing fear at the popular tourist destination, English outlet Tico Times reported.
The surge in violence, which saw the murder of more than 900 people in a country of 5.1 million, is tied to the ongoing gang war. According to Cronkite News.
Murder urged more Travel warning from the US State Department In December.
“The movement has promoted attention in Costa Rica due to crime,” Alert said. “Little crimes are common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crimes, such as armed robbery, murder, and sexual assault, also affect tourists.”
Resorts like Arena del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio National Park, where Gardner stayed, are relatively safe, and many hotels have security guards on duty.
However, US “Level 2” alerts encourage travelers to exercise “increased attention” domestically.
Costa Rica's murder rates are still below many major American cities. For example, Chicago had a homicide rate of 20 per 100,000 people in 2024 (New York City's homicide rate was 4.5 per 100,000 people last year).
However, at the time of the murder, the Miller Gardner case is on the waiting list as Costa Rican coroner works overtime to catch up, officials said.
Brett and Jessica Gardner, and their sons Miller and Hunter, were on vacation at a beach resort when Miller was found dead in his bed on Friday morning after getting sick the night before.
Authorities initially believed the teenager died of choking from food poisoning, but he ruled that this week, and now suspected it was an allergic reaction to the drug given to him by a hotel doctor.
41-year-old Brett Gardner defended the Bronx bomber outfield for 14 years until his retirement after the 2021 season, and was a member of the Yankees' 2009 World Series Championship team.
