New York Yankees Player Brett Gardner’s Son Miller’s Official Cause of Death Revealed: Report

Miller Gardner and Brett Gardner

The official cause of death for New York Yankees player Brett Gardner’s son Miller has been released.

On Wednesday, April 2, the cause of death for the 14-year-old who tragically passed away while his family was on vacation in Costa Rica was ruled to be exposure to carbon monoxide.

Miller tested for carboxyhemoglobin, Randall Zúñiga, director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), told the Associated Press, via translation. Per Medscape, carboxyhemoglobin is “a stable complex of carbon monoxide that forms in red blood cells when carbon monoxide is inhaled.”

A carboxyhemoglobin saturation level of over 50% is considered lethal. Miller’s was 64%, Zúñiga said, per the AP. A “layer” was also found on Miller’s organs during the autopsy, indicating the poisonous gas was present.

“It’s important to note that adjacent to this room is a dedicated machine room, where it’s believed there may be some type of contamination toward these rooms,” Zúñiga continued.

Last Monday, Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, the hotel where Miller and his family were staying, refuted the agency’s findings of “high levels of carbon monoxide contamination,” saying that the levels of carbon monoxide in the room were “non-existent and non-lethal.”

PEOPLE reached out to the hotel on Wednesday for comment on OIJ’s cause of death findings.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

In March, the MLB team shared news of Miller’s death in a statement via X on behalf of his mother and father.

“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st,” the post read.

His parents remembered Miller as “a beloved son and brother,” known for “his infectious smile.”

“We are so thankful to all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time and we are confident our faith, family, and friends will help us navigate this unimaginable loss. Our prayers go out to Miller’s teammates and friends, as well as to all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief,” the family added, asking for privacy as they grieve.

Later that month, officials ruled out asphyxiation as the cause of death for Miller after it was initially reported that he died “after a possible intoxication after apparently ingesting some food,” according to NBC News.

Brett and Jessica Gardner’s son Miller.New York Yankees/X

At the time, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, an official with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, said that it may take up to “two to three months” before autopsy results come in for the teenager.

“The results are expected to be available in two to three months, due to the high demand for autopsies being performed in the country, resulting from the increase in homicides,” Garcia said.

“The case is being investigated by agents from the Quepos and Parrita OIJ Sub-Delegation and is currently being handled as a death under investigation,” he added.

On March 31, a video statement from Zúñiga was posted on the agency’s YouTube account that said that while the investigation remained ongoing, a “hazardous atmospheres” team conducted tests in the room his family was staying in.

“At that time, high levels of carbon monoxide contamination were detected in that room. Which then leads us to a line of investigation in which it appears that this person may have died from inhaling these very dangerous gases,” he said.

“In this regard, it is important to note that adjacent to this room, there is a specialized machine room, which is believed to contain some type of contamination in these rooms, and this could have caused some kind of contamination at the time,” continued Zúniga.

Related Posts

BRONX BLOCKBUSTER BUZZ: A former MLB GM drops a thunderbolt prediction that the Yankees could ship Spencer Jones to Miami in a jaw-dropping push for a Cy Young ace, instantly turning the rumor mill into a five-alarm blaze. The idea sounds insane, perfect, and terrifying all at once—an all-in gamble that could redraw the AL landscape overnight. Now the entire baseball world is hanging on one question: will New York actually pull off the kind of trade that rewrites legacies..ll

New York could add a big starting pitching upgrade at the cost of Spencer Jones.

BRONX FUTURE SHIFT: The picture sharpens as a possible landing spot for Spencer Jones comes into focus right after fresh Yankees ace trade rumors shake up their long-term blueprint. The sudden clarity adds a dramatic twist to New York’s roster plans as the spotlight swings toward the rising star’s next chapter. So is this the direction they’re really heading?..ll

The Yankees have reportedly called the Marlins recently about Sandy Alcantara, which would represent a perfect Spencer Jones trade fit.

RIVALRY FIRESTORM: The tension erupts as Mets pitcher Devin Williams throws a bold social-media jab straight at Yankees fans, instantly igniting the New York baseball feud to a whole new level. The unexpected swipe sends shockwaves through both sides as the rivalry heats up ahead of the season. So what set off this explosive shot?..ll

Mets’ reliever Devin Williams recently took a slight jab at Yankees fans via a social media post that you must read.

BRONX SHOCKWAVE: A stunning twist hits the offseason as whispers grow louder that a Yankees trade for Fernando Tatis Jr. is “not impossible”, cracking open a door no one expected New York to even touch. The mere idea of a superstar shakeup sends the entire baseball world into overdrive as the Yankees size up what a move like this could mean for their future. So is this the blockbuster they’re actually lining up?..ll

The Athletic reports a Fernando Tatis Jr. trade to the Yankees isn’t impossible, opening the door for a potential blockbuster.

BRONX STORM ALERT: Tension spikes as the Yankees roll into the Winter Meetings with swirling rumors hinting at moves that could flip the entire AL picture overnight. Front-office chatter grows louder as New York circles potential shock additions that might redefine their offseason blueprint. So what bombshell are they cooking up?..ll

Three needs this week; closing the outfield gap; breaking down the Contemporary Era

METSWAVE BREAKOUT: The Mets lock in reliever Williams on a massive $51M, three-year deal, whispers erupt about how this move reshapes their late-game firepower, and now the entire league is watching to see what New York unleashes next..ll Read more 👇👇👇

Devin Williams and the Mets finalized a $51 million, three-year contract on Wednesday that locks in a critical late-inning reliever as New York rebuilds its bullpen this offseason.