Costa Rica Investigates Brett Gardner’s Son’s Death in Hotel Raid

Costa Rican authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into the death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, who was found deceased in a hotel room nearly six months ago. A raid on the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort took place on Thursday as part of the inquiry, which is now leaning towards possible manslaughter charges.

Miller Gardner died on March 21, 2023, during a family vacation in the popular tourist area of Manuel Antonio. According to a statement from his family released shortly after his passing, several family members, including Miller, fell ill before he passed away in his sleep. Initial investigations suggested that asphyxiation could be a cause of death, especially after the family returned from a restaurant, but this was later ruled out.

The recent raid, lasting approximately three hours, marked the first extensive search of the hotel since Miller’s death. Authorities are investigating the possibility that carbon monoxide poisoning may have contributed to the tragedy. During the raid, police collected evidence from various hotel offices and interviewed staff, although no arrests have been made to date.

Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez has been overseeing the investigation and revealed that authorities initially did not suspect foul play. However, as findings emerged, it became evident that the potential for gas poisoning from an adjacent machine room could not be dismissed. On April 2, 2023, it was officially determined that accidental causes were unlikely.

Alvarez mentioned that the prosecutor’s office has been in contact with legal representatives hired by the Gardner family in Costa Rica to ensure a transparent investigation process. To further assist in understanding the circumstances surrounding Miller’s death, the police have also enlisted the help of an FBI attache to create a profile of the victim and his family.

Miller Gardner was a student at Pinewood Preparatory School in South Carolina, where he played football, wearing the same No. 11 jersey that his father famously donned during his career with the Yankees. The ongoing investigation into this tragic incident highlights the complexities surrounding vacation safety and hotel management responsibilities in the wake of unforeseen tragedies.

As details continue to emerge, the Gardner family and the Costa Rican authorities remain focused on uncovering the truth behind Miller’s untimely death.