In a heartbreaking turn of events, the tragic death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner, the son of New York Yankees legend Brett Gardner, has led to an investigation by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health.
Miller’s untimely death at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio on March 21, 2025, was initially suspected to be caused by food poisoning.
However, a recent toxicology report confirmed that the real culprit was carbon monoxide poisoning, and now authorities are looking into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Toxicology Report Confirms Cause of Death
The toxicology report, released last week, revealed that Miller died due to carbon monoxide exposure in his hotel room.
According to the findings, the carbon monoxide saturation level in the room was a dangerous 64%, well above the lethal threshold of 50%.
The report, compiled by Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), states that any level above 50% is fatal, and in this case, Miller’s exposure to such high levels of the gas caused his tragic passing.
Randall Zuniga, the general director of the OIJ, confirmed that other drug tests were conducted, including tests for fentanyl and other substances, all of which came back negative.
This solidified the police’s initial theory that carbon monoxide poisoning was indeed the cause of Miller’s death.
Hotel Denies Initial Reports but Faces Scrutiny
Initially, the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort denied the police’s findings about the carbon monoxide contamination.
A spokesperson from the resort claimed that the carbon monoxide levels in Miller’s guest room were “non-existent and non-lethal” and that there had been an error in the initial reporting.
According to the resort, the carbon monoxide was actually detected in a “mechanical room” that was not accessible to guests, not in the room where Miller had been staying.
However, despite these assertions, the resort confirmed that the Gardners’ room was closed off “out of an abundance of caution” while the investigation continued.
They also stated that they were awaiting conclusive results to confirm the cause of Miller’s death.
Ongoing Investigation by Costa Rican Authorities
In light of the toxicology report confirming the cause of death, the Costa Rican Ministry of Health has launched its own investigation.
A statement from the Ministry explained that they are actively gathering information and conducting necessary inquiries to better understand what happened at the resort.
At this stage, authorities have stated that they are unable to release further details, but once the investigation is complete, they plan to provide more information.
The Ministry’s investigation follows a report by the OIJ that highlighted the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure, emphasizing the need for thorough checks and regulations, especially in hospitality settings.
As of now, it remains unclear how such high levels of carbon monoxide went undetected for so long, and authorities are working to ensure similar incidents do not happen in the future.
This tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety standards at luxury resorts and the risks associated with exposure to carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly if not detected early.
