Costa Rica officials confirm Brett Gardner’s son Miller died due to carbon monoxide poisoning

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 4, 2025, 08:39 IST

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Brett Gardner's 14-year-old son, Miller Gardner, died from carbon monoxide poisoning during a family vacation in Costa Rica, as confirmed by officials. The toxicology report revealed a lethal level of carboxyhemoglobin in his body. The family initially experienced symptoms of illness, and Miller passed away peacefully in his sleep. Further investigations ruled out asphyxiation.

Costa Rica officials confirm Brett Gardner’s son Miller died due to carbon monoxide poisoning (Image Source: Getty)

MLB legend and New York Yankees’ ace Brett Gardner’s son, Miller Gardner, died due to carbon monoxide poisoning, as confirmed by Costa Rica officials. Earlier, the officials said their investigation into the matter is underway, and they will be looking into the toxicology report.

Officials said Brett Gardner’s son Miller’s body had high level of carboxyhemoglobin

Brett Gardner’s son, Miller Gardner was only 14. The family was reportedly vacationing in Costa Rica when Miller fell sick, following which, he died on March 21. The police conducted an investigation into the matter and handed over the body to the family on March 26. The police had then said they were awaiting Miller’s reports, to determine the exact cause of death.
As per USA Today, a new toxicology report found that Miller had a carboxyhemoglobin level of 64%, which is 14% above what is considered lethal, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency said.
As per CNN, according to the National Institutes of Health, carboxyhemoglobin is “the complex formed within red blood cells when hemoglobin is exposed to carbon monoxide.

The official had earlier opined that Miller died from asphyxia. Later, asphyxiation was ruled out after "no macro-level abnormalities were observed in the respiratory tract upon inspection of the body," Juan Pablo Alvarado García, an official with the investigative agency said.
The Costa Rica officials performed the autopsy, where they found Miller’s organs had a very specific layer. It was revealed it is usually generated when a person dies from inhalation of carbon monoxide gases. That layer was visible at the time the autopsy of the minor was performed.

Brett Gardner’s family remains heartbroken over the incident

Former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and wife Jessica Gardner shared the tragic news of their son's death through the New York Yankees’ social media account.

The statement they shared said:
“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.”
Reports suggested that other members of the family had felt unwell the night before his death. The Costa Rican officials have sent the body back to the family.
Also Read: “Suspecting Carbon Monoxide Poisoning”: Costa Rica Authorities Rule Out Food Poisoning In Brett Gardner’s Son Miller’s Death Case

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