Tragedy Strikes: Former MLB Star's Son Dies Under Mysterious Circumstances

Some details have come to light about the tragic death of Miller Gardner.

Brett Gardner, a former MLB player, and his wife Jessica Gardner announced that their 14-year-old son passed away on March 21. It was reported by the U.S. Embassy of Costa Rica that the family was vacationing in the country at the time.

Just a few days after the event, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency has disclosed details about Miller’s health in the final hours before his demise, also revealing that the Gardner family’s four members might have fallen ill around the same time.

On the 20th of March, Brett, Jessica, and their children Miller and Hunter, who is 16 years old, ventured to a restaurant away from their hotel. Upon their return, they all felt unwell. Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, the agency spokesperson, confirmed this information to NBC News on the 25th of March. A medical team at their hotel administered medication to everyone involved.

According to the report from the agency, it was discovered the following day that Miller’s body was inside his hotel room in Manuel Antonio.

Initially, officials suspected that the teen had died from suffocating on his own vomit due to its presence in his mouth and nose. However, upon examination by a forensic pathologist, no obstruction in the airways was found, which led them to conclude that asphyxiation was not the cause of his death, as stated by Alvarado Garcia.

The representative stated to NBC News on March 25th that it initially appeared the cause of death wasn’t due to suffocation. This was because, upon examination of the body, no apparent abnormalities were found at a visible level within the respiratory system.

According to Alvarado Garcia, it’s currently uncertain whether Miller’s death was caused by the food, medication, or an underlying condition. The definitive cause is yet to be determined as investigating authorities are still waiting for the toxicology and neuropathology test results.

Did the medication administered cause a reaction, or was it his pre-existing health issue that flared up due to what he consumed or the medication itself? This is what he shared with NBC News. The truth will emerge once we have the complete test results.

Read on for more details about the case.

On March 23rd, Brett, who was a member of the New York Yankees baseball team from 2008 to 2021, shared a heartfelt announcement about the loss of his son.

We are deeply sorrowful to share the news of our beloved son, Miller, who has tragically passed away. He was only 14 years old, and his time with us was cut short during a family vacation when he fell ill, along with other family members. At this moment, we find ourselves grappling with numerous questions and lacking answers, but what we do know is that he passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Over the past seventeen years, being married has been nothing short of a dream come true for me and my beloved partner. Recently, we had the privilege of reminiscing about our most cherished moments together, and it was an absolute joy to pass these memories down to our dear son.

They expressed that Miller was deeply cherished as a son and brother, and at this moment, we struggle to imagine our lives without his radiant grin. His passions ranged from football and baseball, to golf, hunting, and fishing. Moreover, he relished in living each day to its fullest, cherishing his family and friends.

The Gardners expressed their gratitude, saying, “We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who has extended a helping hand with support and comfort in these challenging times. We firmly believe that our faith, loved ones, and community will guide us through this unthinkable grief.

Read on for more details about the case.

Though Brett Gardner has been a lifelong player for the New York Yankees throughout his Major League Baseball career, he and his wife Jessica Clendenin Gardner, who got married in 2007, have primarily kept their sons Hunter and Miller away from the public eye, residing in South Carolina.

On occasion, they accompanied their father at his professional events, such as the launch of the CCandy Children’s Clothing Line at the MLB Fan Cave in New York City back in 2013.

Speaking of their heartbreaking loss, Miller’s loved ones portrayed him as a young man whose smile was incredibly contagious and who truly embraced each day with passion and zest.

In a statement issued in March 2025, the New York Yankees fondly recalled Miller, highlighting his “vibrant and spirited character.

Similar to his father, Miller exhibited athleticism not just in baseball but expanded his sporting repertoire to include football, golf, fishing, and hunting. A TikTok post from earlier this year showcased his ardor for football as he displayed pictures of himself on the field with the caption, “Can’t wait to get back out there.

In a statement issued in March 2025, the team where Brett served from 2008 to 2021 fondly recalled him, noting the vivacity in his gaze and his kind, affectionate disposition.

The team further explained that not only Brett, but also his wife, Jessica, and their two sons have spent over 17 years growing up within this organization.

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

People wrote that Miller was deeply loved as a son and a brother, and it’s still hard for us to imagine our lives without his radiant, contagious smile.

Amidst their sorrow, the Gardners conveyed that they’re struggling to figure out what occurred. In their statement, they also mentioned, “At present, we have a multitude of queries but very few solutions.

One day following Brett and Jessica’s disclosure about Miller’s passing, it was communicated to Inside Edition by the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica that the family happened to be on a spring break vacation in Central America when he died.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share this exciting news: I myself have learned that the Embassy has indeed been engaged in talks with the Miller family regarding the return of Miller’s remains to the United States.

The next day following Brett and Jessica’s announcement about Miller’s unexpected death, Costa Rican authorities suggested that the teen may 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, possibly from consuming certain food. The Organismo de Investigación Judicial has stated this in a communication to NBC News. At present, the death is under investigation and is pending the outcomes of both the autopsy results and the Toxicology Section’s analysis, which will help establish the precise cause of death.

Instead, it was determined that suffocation was not the reason for his demise, as there were no blockages found within his respiratory system.

Instead, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, an agency spokesperson, informed NBC News on March 25 that Miller, along with his parents and sibling, took ill on March 20 upon their return to their hotel from a restaurant. On the following morning, medical personnel at the hotel found Miller’s body in his room after treating all four family members earlier.

The investigation is ongoing and pending medical test results.

2025-03-26 01:47

Tragedy Strikes: Former MLB Star’s Son Dies Under Mysterious Circumstances

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