Overview of the Incident

The heartbreaking mystery surrounding the untimely death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner, has finally been resolved. Costa Rican authorities have confirmed that the young boy passed away due to carbon monoxide inhalation while vacationing with his family in beautiful Costa Rica.

Toxicology Report Findings

On Wednesday, Randall Zuñiga, director of the Judicial Investigation Agency, disclosed the findings of the toxicology report. The results revealed an alarming 64% saturation of carboxyhemoglobin in his blood—a level exceedingly higher than the lethal threshold of 50%. Zuñiga affirmed, “This saturation percentage is indeed higher, confirming our initial hypothesis that exposure to carbon monoxide was the cause of death.”

Details of the Incident

Miller's tragic passing occurred on March 21 while he was staying at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort. He was reportedly found unresponsive after falling ill under mysterious conditions. In light of the new information, Zuñiga announced that the investigation was closed, emphasizing that their findings aligned with the police's earlier conjectures.

Resort's Statement

In an effort to maintain guest privacy and respect for the family's ordeal, the resort released a statement following the toxicology report's revelation. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our guests and staff, and we remain committed to the highest operational standards within our facilities,” it specified.

Carbon Monoxide Contamination Reports

Local authorities earlier reported that there were “high levels of carbon monoxide contamination” detected in the Gardner family's hotel room. It was suggested that a specialized machine room adjacent to their accommodations could be the malicious source of the contamination.

Resort's Denial of Contamination Claims

Interestingly, the resort later denied the carbon monoxide contamination claims, stressing that only non-lethal levels were found in the area and highlighting an error in initial reports. Nevertheless, the hotel took precautions and closed the room while awaiting results to clarify the situation.

Initial Speculations

Initial speculations considered other causes, such as an allergic reaction to medication or asphyxiation, but those ideas were dismissed as investigators dug deeper. Dr. Kevin Gannon of Manuel Antonio Urgent Care expressed the grim reality when first responders arrived on the scene. “We responded to a patient without vital signs,” he said, recalling that they performed “advanced life support CPR” for half an hour before confirming Miller's death.

Family's Message

In a heartfelt message shared with the Yankees organization, Brett and his wife, Jessica, shared their “unimaginable loss,” noting that Miller “passed away peacefully in his sleep” after several family members fell ill during the vacation.

Community Response and Funeral Arrangements

As the community mourns this devastating loss, funeral arrangements are already underway, with a private celebration of life planned in South Carolina to honor the memory of young Miller. This tragic turn of events serves as a stark reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can lurk even in paradise.