In April, authorities determined that the death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former MLB player Brett Gardner, was due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Nevertheless, investigations are ongoing, with officials looking into the possibility that it could be classified as murder.
The Gardners shared the news of Miller’s passing on March 23, two days following his death. The cause was officially identified on April 3 after ruling out food poisoning and choking as potential causes.
A spokesperson for the Costa Rica prosecutor’s office confirmed to ESPN that he is handling the case, which remains under review. Prosecutors have yet to decide if the death should be considered a homicide.
“The purpose of the investigation is to accurately determine whether we are dealing with the possibility of murder, and for this reason it is impossible to confirm or rule out that a crime has been committed,” the spokesperson said.
Miller’s medical tests indicated a carboxyhemoglobin saturation level of 64%. To put it simply, levels over 50% are typically lethal.
The Gardners were staying at the Arena del Mar Hotel in Manuel Antonio when the incidents occurred, and several family members fell ill during the trip.
“There are very few questions and answers at this point, but I know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st,” the family released in a statement. “Miller is our beloved son and brother, and we still can’t understand our lives without his infectious smile. He loved soccer, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived his life to the fullest every day.”
Brett Gardner played for the New York Yankees for 14 seasons, contributing to the team’s 2009 World Series victory. His entire career unfolded in the Bronx, where he last took the field in 2021.
