The investigation into the death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, has taken a surprising new direction as Costa Rican authorities continue examining the perplexing circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death during a family vacation.
What initially appeared to be asphyxiation connected to food poisoning has now shifted focus. Investigators are currently examining whether medication administered for gastrointestinal symptoms might have contributed to the tragedy.
What actually happened?
Emergency medical personnel from Quepos Urgent Care Hospital responded to a call at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort on March 21, where the Gardner family was staying. According to Dr. Kevin Gannon, who heads the hospital, a team including a doctor and nurse performed advanced life support CPR for half an hour, but unfortunately, Miller was declared dead at the scene.
“The emergency was for a patient who was a non-responsive 14-year-old male,” Gannon said. “We performed advanced life support CPR for 30 minutes before calling the authorities.”
Reports indicate Miller had been suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, symptoms also experienced by other family members after eating at a restaurant in the area the previous evening.
Timeline of medical events
- March 18: The family reportedly dined at Le Papillon restaurant (Hotel La Mariposa)
- March 20 (evening): Several family members developed gastrointestinal symptoms after dinner at an unidentified nearby establishment
- March 21 (morning): Miller was discovered unresponsive. Resuscitation attempts failed
- March 25: OIJ eliminated asphyxiation as the cause of death
- March 26: Officials indicate medication reaction is being investigated
Investigation puts medication under scrutiny
Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) has redirected their inquiry toward a possible allergic reaction or toxicity related to medication given by a physician after Miller began showing symptoms.
“We’re doing toxicology tests to determine if this medicine could have caused the death,” an OIJ representative told Daily Mail.
The agency has eliminated asphyxiation as a possibility, stating in their latest report that Miller’s airways were clear when examined. This finding contradicts earlier speculation that he might have choked on vomit while sleeping, a known risk in severe cases of gastrointestinal illness.
Comprehensive testing underway
Officials have launched three primary analyses to determine the cause:
- Toxicology screening for chemical substances or adverse reactions
- Histology examination of tissue and cellular samples
- Neuropathology assessment of the brain and nervous system
A fourth study has been commissioned through INCIENSA, the Costa Rican Institute of Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health at the University of Costa Rica.
Results are anticipated within two to three months, as forensic laboratories in the country are currently operating at capacity due to an increase in violent crime requiring autopsies.
Resort, restaurants distance themselves
Several businesses have issued statements clarifying their involvement in the events preceding Miller’s death.
Hotel La Mariposa, whose restaurant Le Papillon hosted the family three days before the incident, released a statement:
“Any claims suggesting a link between our restaurant and this heartbreaking event are entirely false and unfounded,” they said, adding that the Gardners “did not stay at our hotel.”
The Gardner family was staying at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, approximately 50 miles south of San José. The upscale eco-luxury property typically costs around $2,000 per night.
The Arenas Del Mar Resort emphasized that the Gardners did not dine at any of their restaurants for lunch or dinner the day before Miller’s death. The property had recently passed a Health Ministry inspection with an impressive score of 98.5 out of 100.
“Our protocol does not allow hotel staff to provide any medications to guests,” the resort, wher former Yankees star’s family stayed, told CBS News. “Any medical attention was provided by licensed professionals.”
Confusion over ‘food intoxication’
Early reports mentioned “food intoxication,” a term often used interchangeably with food poisoning—caused by consuming contaminated food.
No conclusive connection has been established between the family’s meals and Miller’s death. While an OIJ spokesperson confirmed asphyxiation is no longer considered a factor, they stopped short of ruling out food poisoning entirely.
Moving forward
The pending toxicology, histology, and neuropathology reports should provide crucial insights into Miller’s cause of death. However, due to backlogs at Costa Rican forensic facilities, definitive answers may not be available for months.
Brett and Jessica Gardner released a joint statement describing Miller’s death as occurring “peacefully in his sleep” and requested privacy during the ongoing investigation.
“We have so many questions and so few answers at this point,” the Gardners said. “But we do know that he passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, March 21.”
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