Hotel Speaks Out After Carbon Monoxide Linked to Teen's Tragic Death

The Costa Rica hotel where Miller Gardner passed has responded to the latest update in his case.

Following a family trip last month, it was suspected that the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner might have passed away due to carbon monoxide inhalation, according to the head of the country’s Judicial Investigation Agency.

Currently, the resort is collaborating with authorities as they proceed with their ongoing investigation.

As a lifestyle expert speaking directly, I deeply mourn the heart-wrenching incident that unfolded at our beloved Arenas Del Mar Resort, an event that has left us all in sorrow. At present, we are still seeking confirmation regarding the cause of this tragedy, but rest assured, we are fully cooperating with the Costa Rican judicial authorities who have assumed the investigation. Our trust lies in the forensic process to provide a clear, objective, and definitive explanation for this unfortunate incident.

The hotel clarified that they wouldn’t discuss unverified theories concerning Miller’s demise, showing consideration towards the ongoing legal proceedings and the family’s personal matters.

First and foremost, we prioritize the security and health of both our guests and employees. We continue to uphold the utmost standards in our operations, ensuring safety within our premises. We thank you for your patience during these delicate times.

The precise cause of Miller’s death remains unconfirmed, awaiting the completion of an autopsy and toxicology report. However, during a press conference on March 31, Randall Zúñiga, head of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, revealed that investigators detected elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the hotel room where the Gardner family—comprising Miller’s mother Jessica Gardner and brother Hunter Gardner—had been staying.

According to the director’s preliminary analysis, it appears that the incident was caused by a contamination issue, with concentrations reaching up to 600 parts per million. However, under normal circumstances, there should be no trace of it at all.

Since Miller’s passing on March 21, various heartfelt tributes honoring the young teenager have been shared by his family members and close friends.

In a heartfelt tribute penned for me, my time spent with them was fleeting, but the essence of who I was lives on eternally through those whose lives I touched. The Gardner family will hold dear the destinations we explored, the faces we encountered, the bonds we formed, and the moments we shared that have become cherished memories forever etched in our hearts. As a lifestyle connoisseur, I encourage everyone to embrace life’s adventures, for it is within these experiences that we truly discover ourselves and leave lasting legacies.

Keep reading for everything to know about Miller’s death…

Regardless of Brett Gardner having dedicated his entire Major League Baseball career to the New York Yankees, he and his wife Jessica Clendenin Gardner, who exchanged vows in 2007, have managed to keep their sons Hunter and Miller away from public scrutiny in South Carolina.

On occasion, they joined in backing their father’s profession, as evidenced by their presence at the launch of the CCandy Children’s Clothing Line at the MLB Fan Cave in New York City back in 2013.

Speaking about the sad demise of Miller, his family characterized him as a boy with a contagiously joyful grin and someone who truly embraced each day with zest and vitality.

Back in March 2025, the New York Yankees paid tribute to me, highlighting my vibrant and spirited character. It was a heartwarming recognition of who I truly am – an outgoing and feisty individual!

Similar to his father, Miller exhibited athleticism beyond just baseball; he additionally participated in football, golf, fishing, and hunting. Earlier this year, he expressed his passion for football through a TikTok post featuring images of him playing, saying, “I truly miss it.

Back in March of 2025, I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Brett Miller, a player who graced our team from 2008 to 2021. The Yankees family recalls his spirit, vividly evident in those captivating eyes, and his heartwarming, affectionate disposition that made him such a cherished part of our organization.

In their statement, the team pointed out that not only Brett but also his family, including his wife Jessica and their two sons, have been part of this organization for over 17 years.

According to a statement from Brett’s previous team, Brett and his family announced that following the illness of Miller and others during their holiday, their 14-year-old son tragically passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, March 21.

They mentioned that Miller was deeply cherished as a son and a brother. At present, it’s hard for us to imagine our lives without his radiant, contagious grin.

In the midst of their sorrow, the Gardners are struggling to understand what occurred, as they themselves stated, “We’re swamped with questions and barely any answers right now.

On the day following Brett and Jessica’s disclosure about Miller’s passing, it was reported to Inside Edition by the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica that his family was holidaying in Costa Rica during their spring break when he died.

Additionally, the Embassy acknowledged they were in negotiations with the Gardner family regarding the arrangement for returning Miller’s remains to the United States.

Following the unexpected death of Miller as announced by Brett and Jessica, Costa Rican authorities speculate that the teenager might have passed away due to asphyxiation, potentially caused by swallowing a harmful substance.

Initially, it seems that the individual may have died due to asphyxia following potential poisoning from consuming certain food. At present, this is a case under investigation and we are waiting for the autopsy results and toxicology analysis to confirm the precise cause of death.

Instead, the authorities determined that suffocation was unlikely to be the cause of his death, since no blockage was found within his airways.

On March 20, following a visit to a restaurant, Miller and his entire family – including his parents and sibling – fell ill upon returning to their hotel. This information was communicated by hotel spokesperson Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia to NBC News on March 25. The hotel medical team provided care for all four family members, but sadly, Miller’s body was discovered in his room the following morning.

The investigation is ongoing and pending medical test results.

2 days following the Gardner family’s announcement of Miller’s passing, the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort – where the family was on vacation in Costa Rica – expressed their sympathies.

In a statement made on March 25, our hotel spokesperson expressed heartfelt sadness over the unfortunate event. They conveyed their sympathies to the family, acknowledging the tough time they’re going through. The specific causes behind this tragic incident remain unclear, but we are working closely with the authorities as they carry out their investigation.

The resort stated that they continue to prioritize the health and safety of both their guests and employees, ensuring their welfare, all while maintaining confidentiality for those involved.

In my role as a diligent follower, I must share that the hotel declined any accountability for the Gardner family falling ill at a neighboring eatery prior to Miller’s demise.

The family didn’t dine at any of Arenas Del Mar’s eateries for either lunch or dinner yesterday, as the resort representative clarified. Furthermore, on March 14th, we underwent an inspection by the Health Ministry and received a score of 98.5 out of 100, passing with flying colors.

Following the resort where the Gardner family was lodging issued a statement, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, a representative from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (JIA), clarified that the autopsy results for Miller are expected to be significantly delayed due to high crime rates in the region.

He informed DailyMail.com that we’re witnessing an increase in murders due to the ongoing territorial disputes among drug gangs, and each case requires a thorough post-mortem examination.

He stated, ‘It’s true, an autopsy was performed on Miller. However, since there have been so many deaths recently, the comprehensive examination and findings, as with all such cases, will require at least two to three months to complete. This is a reflection of the current situation.’

Alvarado Garcia indeed made it clear that there was no sign suggesting Miller’s demise was due to the use of recreational substances or excessive alcohol consumption.

Despite a delay in the results, it was clarified that since all required samples had been collected for Miller’s autopsy, his body can be returned to the United States. However, the Gardner family is currently waiting on the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica to process their repatriation request.

On March 27th, 2025, during our grand opening celebrations, I, as a lifestyle expert, would like to highlight that my former team paused for a solemn moment in remembrance of Miller. This tribute underscores the profound impact he had on us.

At Yankee Stadium’s baseball field during the tribute, players all stood with their hats off, as a happy photo of Miller Gardner was displayed on the giant screen. The caption read, “In Memory of Miller Gardner.

Miller might have perished due to carbon monoxide poisoning, as suggested by Randall Zúñiga, the head of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency. In a press conference held on March 31st, he stated that excessive levels of carbon monoxide contamination were discovered within the family’s hotel room.

Mentioning a specialized machine found nearby, Zúñiga suggested that authorities are concerned some kind of contamination might have spread to the guest rooms, possibly leading to the incident.

However, the preliminary investigation suggests that the incident was caused by a contamination, with readings as high as 600 parts per million – when ideally it should be zero in this situation. He went on to explain that they will await the results from forensic toxicology tests before announcing Miller’s cause of death.

2025-04-01 16:18

Hotel Speaks Out After Carbon Monoxide Linked to Teen’s Tragic Death

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