The investigation into the cause of the death of the former son of Brett Gardner, the New York star, in Costa Rica, moved to possible food poisoning, said a legal official on Wednesday.
Miller Gardner, 14, died on vacation with his family in the country of Central America on March 21. The Gardner family published a statement by the Yankees on Sunday announcing its tragic loss.
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Brett Gardner of the Yankees leaves the field after being defeated by the Rays of Tampa Bay, on October 2, 2021, in New York. (AP photo / Adam Hunger, file)
Marisel Rodriguez Solis, head of the press for the police of the Costa Rica judicial investigation (OIJ), told PK Press Club that the investigation had moved to possible food poisoning as the most likely cause, but that asphyxiation has not been excluded. The results of the medical-legal and pathology tests could take between one and four months to return.
Costa Rica officials have not yet interviewed the Gardner family on Tuesday afternoon.
“With heavy hearts, we are saddened to announce the death of our youngest son, Miller,” said the Gardner family this weekend. “He was 14 years old and left us far too early after fell ill with several other family members on vacation,” said their statement. “We have so many questions and so few answers at this stage, but we know that he died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21.
“Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet understand our life without his contagious smile. He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, family and friends. He has lived life as much as possible every day.”
The New York Yankees center player, Brett Gardner, is welcomed after hitting a Home Run solo against the Blue Jays in Rogers Center in Toronto on September 30, 2021. (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SPORTS)
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The Gardner family stayed at the Arenas del Mar hotel in Manuel Antonio and ate in an Italian restaurant in a neighboring hotel on Thursday. The four family members began to feel sick at 11 p.m., there is local time in the establishment where they stayed.
The Arenas del Mar hotel called a doctor to give them medication to help stomach problems. The next morning, Miller Gardner was found dead with traces of vomit.
“Our hotel protocol in Arenas del Mar does not allow hotel staff to provide medicines or treatments to customers,” Arenas del Mar said in a statement. “The hotel staff immediately sent a medical team, including an approved doctor, who arrived to manage the emergency situation. Any doctor for the family was carried out by health professionals. Our staff have not administered any medical treatment.
“Our number one priority at the moment respects the intimacy of the family.”
Officials interviewed the restaurant doctor, hotel and employees and examine security images.
Solis argued that, during her nearly two decades with OIJ, she did not remember anyone in Costa Rica dying of food poisoning.
New York Yankees left the Brett Gardner field player and manager Aaron Boone Talk in a match against the Rays of Tampa Bay in Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg, Florida, September 24, 2019. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY SPORTS)
Brett Gardner played for Yankees from 2008 to 2021. He was part of the team when they won a world series in 2009.
