By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-04-01 18:41:28 | Updated at 2025-04-02 22:39:44
1 day ago
The hotel room in Costa Rica where Yankees hero Brett Gardner and his family were on vacation before the death of their 14-year-old son Miller has been blocked off from the public.
The developments, reported first by TMZ, come amid fears from Costa Rican authorities that the teenager passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Out of an abundance of caution, the room in question has been blocked until further notice,' the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort told TMZ.
'Guest safety is our highest priority, and we regularly review our protocols to ensure we meet the highest operational standards.'
It emerged an investigation found that that there were 'high levels of carbon monoxide contamination' in the family's hotel room, Randall Zuniga, general director of the OIJ, said in a virtual press conference.
'It's also important to note that next to [the family's] room there is a specialized machine room, from which it is believed some form of contamination may have reached the guest rooms, potentially causing the incident,' Zuniga said.
Miller Gardner, 14, might have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Costa Rica
He continued: 'Nevertheless, the initial investigative findings indicate that the incident was due to this contamination, with levels as high as 600 parts per million detected — when the appropriate level in this case should be zero.'
Carbon monoxide poisoning has not yet been confirmed as the official cause of death as officials await the final toxicology results amid the ongoing investigation.
Zuniga reiterated that the agency was working in tandem with the FBI in the United States while they 'wait for the final results from forensic toxicology.'
Miller was discovered not breathing in his room on March 21 while on a trip with the rest of the Gardner family in the Central American country.
The tragedy happened after Brett, a former World Series winner with the Yankees, Jessica, Miller and older son Hunter, 16, all suffered severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea following dinner at an outside restaurant the night before.
Desperate medics battled in vain for 30 minutes to try to kickstart 14-year-old Miller's heart after he was found by a frantic family member who raised the alarm, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed.
Brett and wife Jessica shared a heartbreaking tribute to their son on Monday, saying: 'The void Miller's passing leaves in the hearts of his family, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and others will be felt for years.
'The Gardner family will forever cherish the places they visited, the people they met, the friends they made, and the memories they created together.
'Miller's time here with them was brief but his spirit will carry on forever through those who were impacted by the way he lived.
'In this time of unimaginable loss, the family prays that joy and healing will come to others who share their grief.'
Initial reports suggested that the autopsy results could not be publicly ready for another two months or so as a murderous drugs gang war in Costa Rica was causing the severe delay in proceedings.
Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, of the Judicial Investigations Agency, admitted to DailyMail.com on Tuesday: 'We're having a hike in homicides as these drug gangs battle for territory and every one of them needs an autopsy.
'I can confirm that an autopsy has been carried out on Miller, But the full analysis and results, as in every one of them, will take at least two to three months due to these constant killings causing a backlog of cases. That's the reality.'
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