By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-31 20:31:43 | Updated at 2025-04-02 09:21:12
1 day ago
New York Yankees legend Brett Gardner and wife Jessica have shared a heartbreaking tribute to their late son, Miller, after his mysterious death.
Miller, 14, died suddenly while on a vacation with the former outfielder and the rest of the Gardner family at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Costa Rica on March 21.
As the mystery surrounding the teenager's death continues, the Gardner family honored his memory in an emotional obituary Monday.
'The void Miller's passing leaves in the hearts of his family, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and others will be felt for years,' the family wrote.
'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.'
Miller Gardner (second right) died suddenly while on a vacation
The family revealed that they would be honoring Miller's legacy by using his memory to help benefit other children, requesting donations to be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
'Miller was so blessed with experiences and friendships in his 14 years, and he would want other children to have the opportunity to create their own wonderful memories,' the obituary continued.
The heart-wrenching statement also remembered Miller's active participation in school and the community, recalling his role on both the middle school football team and junior varsity baseball team and place on the Honor Roll amid his multitude of hobbies.
Miller was described as a fan of playing golf, fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes, and traveling to new places with his family.
'In this time of unimaginable loss, the family prays that joy and healing will come to others who share their grief,' the obituary concluded.
A private celebration of life will be held for Miller at an undisclosed later date. The service will be reserved for family and close friends.
Miller is survived by his loving parents and older brother, Hunter, 16, as well as his grandparents and many extended family members.
Miller was discovered not breathing in his room while on a trip with the rest of the Gardner family in the Central American country.
The tragedy happened after Brett, 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.
Meanwhile, police are still returning to the $1,000-a-night resort to interview shocked staff.
However, Gardner and his devastated wife are no closer to knowing what cause the death of their beloved son. To add to their anguish, the Judicial Investigations office reportedly stated that the autopsy results will not be publicly ready for another two months or so.
A murderous drugs gang war in Costa Rica is causing the severe delay in autopsy findings.
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.'
Alvarado said a doctor was called to the Arenas del Mar resort immediately after all four Gardners were stricken with sickness. She gave them all medication to combat the symptoms.
But in a startling new development, he revealed medical experts are now probing whether Miller might have had a bad or allergic reaction to any drugs they were given to alleviate the sudden sickness.
He also said they were probing if Miller brought an existing bacterial infection with him after traveling to the Pacific coast resort from the family home in Summerville, South Carolina.
The senior official said there was no indication the death was due to recreational drugs or alcohol.
In a scenario of shifting explanations, Alvarado told DailyMail.com that investigators had discounted a previously touted possible cause of death of asphyxiation following 'possible food poisoning'.
More to follow.
