Brett Gardner’s Son’s Death Sparks ‘Concern’ Amid Cause of Death Probe

The death of Brett Gardner’s son has sparked “concern” for Costa Rican businesses.

Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner, 41, and his wife Jessica Gardner, died on March 21 while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort. All of the Gardners, including the couple’s other son, Hunter, fell ill after dining at a local restaurant, and they were treated by the hotel’s doctor.

Lamia Funti, who owns nearby Casa Lamia Restaurant & Lodge, said she’s been experiencing cancellations since March 24, one day after the Yankees announced Miller Gardner’s death on behalf of his parents.

“That has affected us terribly,” she told Us Weekly. “Everyone is affected a lot, everyone knows about the situation.”

“At the moment, I have had 12 cancellations, which is huge. Usually, we barely have cancellations,” Funti said. “The concern would be if this drags on. That could be terribly damaging, especially with the arrival of the low season and everything. It’s already affecting us, everyone who owns hotels has said the same thing.”

Shirley Calvo, executive director of Costa Rica’s National Chamber of Tourism, said tourism has not been affected.

“We express our deepest sympathy to the family of the young man who passed away. We are truly saddened by this situation,” she told Us Weekly. “So far, no cancellations or impacts on tourism activity have been reported as a result of this unfortunate event. While various speculations have circulated regarding the possible causes of death, we believe this is an isolated and uncommon case in our country.”

It was initially reported that Miller Gardner’s preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation, but authorities ruled that out after the Forensic Pathology Section performed an autopsy.

At a news conference on Monday, Randall Zuniga, director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), said the teenager’s death is believed to be related to carbon monoxide poisoning. The room the family was staying in was next to a machine room, “which is believed to have some type of contamination that could have caused this situation,” Zuniga said.

“Levels of up to 600 parts per million were found when the correct level should be zero in this specific case,” he said.

On March 23, the Yankees posted a statement from the Gardners via X, formerly Twitter, announcing Miller Gardner’s death. It read, in part:

“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st.”

Brett Gardner played outfield for the Yankees for 14 seasons, from 2008 until 2021, when he retired from the sport. The South Carolina native and Jessica Gardner married in 2007.

The Major League Baseball team honored Miller Gardner’s death with a moment of silence on Thursday, Opening Day.

Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, a spokesperson for Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, told The Daily Mail that Miller Gardner’s full autopsy results may take months.