Miller Gardner probe: Costa Rican officials confirm carbon monoxide poisoning
Officials in Costa Rica have officially confirmed the cause of death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner. The tragic incident occurred on March 21 while the family was on vacation. Initially, the investigation focused on asphyxiation, but that was later ruled out. The attention then shifted to food poisoning as a possible cause of death. However, on Wednesday night, Costa Rican Judicial Investigative Agency (OIJ) Director Randall Zúñiga announced that the toxicology results revealed that Miller died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Zúñiga stated that Miller was tested for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound that forms when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood. The test showed a saturation level of 64%, which is considered lethal when it exceeds 50%. The family had been staying at the Arenas Del Mar hotel in Manuel Antonio at the time of the incident.
Earlier in the week, the OIJ had suggested that carbon monoxide poisoning was the likely cause of death, but hotel officials denied these claims, stating that the levels in the room were non-lethal. Following the announcement, Fox News Digital reached out to the hotel spokesperson for further clarification.
The Gardner family expressed their devastation in a statement following Miller’s passing, mentioning that several family members had fallen ill during the trip. They described Miller as a beloved son and brother who enjoyed various activities like football, baseball, golf, hunting, and fishing.
Brett Gardner, a former outfielder for the New York Yankees, spent 14 seasons with the team and was part of the 2009 World Series-winning roster. He retired in 2021 after playing his entire career in the Bronx.
In conclusion, the tragic death of Miller Gardner has shed light on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of proper safety measures in hotels and vacation accommodations. The Gardner family continues to mourn the loss of their beloved son, while authorities work to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.
