Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on March 26, 2025, 12:14 AM

The baseball world is in shock. News broke that Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former Yankees star Brett Gardner, passed away while on vacation in Costa Rica. Everyone is heartbroken for Brett, his wife Jessica, and their family.

The details surrounding Miller Gardner's death are still emerging. The loss of a child is incredibly painful. Everyone wants to know what happened during this family vacation turned tragedy.

Early reports have been vague, understandably. The Gardner family needs space to grieve. Any official statements from the family have been kept private as they deal with this awful loss. We can only imagine what they're going through.

Costa Rican authorities are investigating the circumstances of Miller's death. They'll work to determine the cause and any contributing factors. Details will likely be released as the investigation progresses. It's important to let them do their job. The hotel where the Gardner family stayed has released an official statement. It addresses the tragic event and expresses condolences. Let's take a look at the key points.

Two days after former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica Gardner announced the sudden death of their 14-year-old son, the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort where the family was vacationing shared their condolences.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” a representative for the hotel said in a March 25 statement. “The factors that led to this tragic incident are unknown, and we are fully cooperating with authorities as they investigate.”

The resort added, “We remain committed to supporting our guests and staff, prioritizing their well-being and safety, while respecting the privacy of those affected.”

The hotel also denied responsibility for the four Gardner family members falling ill after visiting a nearby restaurant on March 20, hours before Miller’s death.

"The family did not eat at any of Arenas Del Mar’s restaurants for lunch or dinner the previous day,” the resort’s rep continued. “Additionally, on March 14th, we had an inspection by the Health Ministry in which the hotel passed with a 98.5 out of 100.”

The tone of the statement is somber and respectful. They use words that show sympathy and support. The hotel also emphasizes its commitment to assisting the investigation. They want to convey their concern and willingness to help.

After visiting a restaurant off the property, Brett and Jessica—as well as sons Miller and Hunter, 16—returned to the Manuel Antonio resort feeling sick and a hotel medical team gave the Gardner family medicine, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, a spokesperson for Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (JIA), shared. Miller’s body was found the next morning.

Though Costa Rican authorities revealed March 24 that the teenager’s preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation after he ingested a toxic substance, the agency has since reversed course, according to the spokesperson.

“It was preliminarily ruled out that the cause of death was due to asphyxia,” Alvarado Garcia in a statement, “due to the fact that at the time of the inspection of the body, no anomaly was observed at macro level in the respiratory tract.”

As authorities await the results from Miller’s autopsy to determine an official cause of death, they are unsure whether the food, the medicine or an underlying cause may have played a part in Miller’s passing, according to Alvarado Garcia.

"Was it a medicine they gave him that triggered something? Or was it an underlying condition he had that was triggered by what he ate or the medicine they gave him?" he spoke. "We won’t know until we know all of the results from the tests.”

Days before, Brett and his wife announced their son’s tragic death in a heart wrenching statement. Brett Gardner had a great career with the Yankees. He was known for his speed, hustle, and dedication. But beyond baseball, he's a husband and father.

"With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller," they wrote in March 23 statement shared to the Yankees X [formerly Twitter] account. "Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile.” 

They continued, “He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day."

Gardner played with the Yankees for 14 seasons. He won a World Series in 2009 and was an All-Star in 2015. He was a reliable player and a fan favorite. He will be remembered for his contributions to the team.

Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica Gardner are parents to two sons, Miller and Hunter. They seem like a close-knit and loving family. Our thoughts are with them all.

The baseball community is rallying around the Gardner family. Players, coaches, and fans are offering their support. It shows how much Brett was respected.

Many former teammates have shared messages of condolence. The Yankees organization released a statement expressing their sadness. These gestures highlight the impact Brett had on those around him.

Yankees fans are heartbroken. They're sharing their grief and support on social media. It's a reminder of how much the team and its players mean to the city. The fans are standing with the Gardner family.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country, but it's important to be aware of safety precautions. Here are some tips for staying safe while traveling. It is unknown if travel safety was a factor in this specific incident.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking alone at night. Keep your valuables secure. Only use reputable transportation. These are simple steps that can help keep you safe.

The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica can provide assistance. Check travel advisories before you go. Know the local emergency numbers. Being prepared can make a big difference.

The passing of Miller Gardner is a tragedy that has touched many people. The hotel's statement reflects the sadness and concern surrounding this event. The baseball community continues to offer its support to Brett and his family. Let's remember Miller and keep the Gardner family in our thoughts.