MANUEL ANTONIO, Costa Rica — Costa Rican authorities have stepped up their investigation into the death of Miller Gardner, the teenage son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. Prosecutors said Thursday that evidence collected in a raid at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort could lead to manslaughter charges.
Raid targets hotel offices
Agents from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ) searched the hotel for about three hours on Sept. 11. They seized records from management, maintenance, and accounting offices. Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez described it as the first formal search of those areas since the 14-year-old died on March 21.
Alvarez said earlier toxic-gas measurements prompted the operation. “The staff have always shown themselves to be collaborative,” he told reporters, though no arrests have been made.
Autopsy confirms carbon monoxide poisoning
An autopsy concluded Miller died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Tests showed his carboxyhemoglobin saturation was 64 percent, a level considered lethal. Investigators believe the gas leaked from a mechanical room located next to the family’s suite.
Early speculation pointed to choking or food poisoning after the Gardners reported feeling sick during their trip. But medical experts ruled out asphyxiation when no blockage was found in Miller’s airway. Toxicology and pathology studies later confirmed the gas exposure.
Manslaughter charges under review
The Quepos and Parrita Prosecutor’s Office is now weighing whether negligence at the resort could rise to criminal liability. Involuntary manslaughter charges remain possible if investigators determine unsafe conditions directly caused the teen’s death.
“The investigation seeks to establish whether the cause of death was a homicide or not, and, if so, to determine responsibility,” Alvarez said.
Prosecutors have been working alongside attorneys for the Gardner family. An FBI attaché in Costa Rica is also assisting in the probe.
Resort disputes toxic levels
The hotel has denied that Miller’s room contained lethal levels of carbon monoxide. Management said higher readings were detected only in the mechanical room, which is not accessible to guests.
Judicial authorities have contested that claim. They reported finding elevated carbon monoxide in the guest room itself during their own testing. Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health has opened a parallel investigation into the resort’s safety procedures.
Timeline of events
- March 21, 2025 — Miller Gardner is found unresponsive in his room while on vacation with his family in Manuel Antonio. Initial reports mention possible choking or food poisoning.
- Late March — Tests rule out airway obstruction. Investigators turn attention to environmental causes.
- April 2 — Autopsy confirms carbon monoxide poisoning, with fatal levels in Miller’s blood. Authorities identify a machine room near the suite as a possible source.
- April–May — The resort issues a statement disputing the findings, claiming guest rooms were safe. Health and fire officials begin their own reviews.
- Sept. 11 — Investigators raid hotel offices, gathering new evidence for the manslaughter probe.
Family in grief
Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica released a statement earlier this year remembering their son as “a boy who loved sports, nature, and always made others smile.” They described their grief as overwhelming and asked for privacy as the investigation moved forward.
Miller was a freshman at Pinewood Preparatory School in South Carolina. He played football and wore jersey No. 11, the same number his father wore during a 14-year career with the Yankees.
Legal and public impact
Authorities said the case has implications beyond one family’s tragedy. Resorts across Costa Rica and the wider tourism industry are facing questions about safety standards and oversight. Carbon monoxide detectors are not legally required in all hotel rooms, and Miller’s death has drawn attention to that gap.
Alvarez stressed that Thursday’s raid is part of a larger effort to determine accountability. “We are collecting physical and digital evidence that will allow us to reach a conclusion,” he said.
If manslaughter charges are filed, hotel managers or staff could face years in prison if convicted. Civil lawsuits are also possible as the Gardner family considers its options.
Remembering Miller
The community in South Carolina has honored Miller’s memory throughout the spring and summer. His high school football team retired his number in April. Teammates wore patches on their uniforms with his initials. Local churches held vigils to support the family.
For Yankees fans, the tragedy has been a reminder of Brett Gardner’s long connection to the team. The former outfielder, a three-time Gold Glove winner and 2009 World Series champion, retired in 2021 after 14 seasons in pinstripes.
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