Tragic Death of Miller Gardner Under Investigation

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, has passed away under mysterious circumstances. Official reports indicate that the young boy died while vacationing in Costa Rica, but the exact cause of his death remains uncertain as investigations are ongoing.

On March 21, 2025, Gardner was found unresponsive in his hotel room at Manuel Antonio, a popular resort area in the Puntarenas province. Initial assessments led authorities to suspect asphyxiation; however, this theory has since been ruled out by Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ).

Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, a spokesperson for OIJ, confirmed that the cause of death has been reconsidered. “No obstruction was found in the air passages, although traces of vomit were noted,” Alonso added during a conversation with ESPN.

Family’s Heartfelt Statement

On March 23, Brett and Jessica Gardner publicly announced their son’s untimely death through a statement released by the Yankees organization. In their grieving message, they shared: “We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep.” They added a loving tribute to their son, highlighting his passions: “Miller was a beloved son and brother, and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile.”

The Yankees expressed their condolences, stating, “Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss… Our love for the Gardner family is unconditional and absolute.”

Ongoing Investigations

As authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Miller’s death, requests for further testing have been sent to the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health. It is expected that results from histology, toxicology, and neuropathology analyses will take several months.

As investigations unfold, the family asks for privacy during this difficult time. The tragic loss has resonated not only throughout the baseball community but also with friends and family who cherished Miller’s vibrant spirit.

Miller was remembered fondly as a talented young athlete who played high school football, wearing No. 11, a number his father notably wore for 14 seasons with the Yankees. Brett Gardner, who retired in 2021, was a beloved figure in the sport, and the loss has hit hard for all those who knew him and his family.