It Has Been Confirmed That “High Levels Of Carbon Monoxide” Were Found In Brett Gardner’s 14-Year-Old Son’s Hotel Room As The Investigation Into His Tragic Death Continues

Last month, former Yankees star Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica Gardner, announced that their 14-year-old son, Miller, had died during a family vacation on March 21. In an emotional statement that was shared to the official New York Yankees X account, the heartbroken parents said that they had “so many questions” after the teen was found dead in his hotel room in Costa Rica.

They explained that Miller passed after he and “several other family members” fell ill on the trip, and that he died “peacefully in his sleep.”

“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller,” the X statement read. “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.”

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“Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile. He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day,” it continued

“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,” the statement went on. “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. Please respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing.”

And on Monday, Miller’s initial cause of death of asphyxiation was officially ruled out, with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency previously telling NBC News that it was thought the teen had died from asphyxia "after a possible intoxication after apparently ingesting some food.” At the time, it was made clear that this was a preliminary cause of death, and that they were awaiting autopsy and toxicology results.

In a new video statement from the general director of the Judicial Investigation Agency, Randall Zúñiga, it was revealed that the investigation into Miller’s death is still ongoing, but “hazardous atmospheres” had been found in the room that his family were 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," Zúñiga said in his native Spanish, per People.

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"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,” Zúniga went on. “We also have to wait for the final results of the forensic toxicology, which will determine exactly what caused the death of this young man.”

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In a separate statement, a spokesperson for the Judicial Investigation Agency confirmed to People: "The preliminary ruling ruled out asphyxiation as the cause of death. No macro-level abnormalities were observed in the respiratory tract upon inspection of the body.”

The New York Yankees previously posted a statement in support of Brett and Jessica amid their loss, writing: “Our hearts are heavy, and the Yankees family is filled with grief after learning of the passing of Miller Gardner. Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss. It wasn’t just Brett who literally grew up in this organization for more than 17 years — so did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys, Hunter and Miller.”

X @Yankees / Via x.com

“We grieve with Brett, Jessica, Hunter, and their community of family and friends in mourning the loss of Miller, who had a spark in his eyes, an outgoing and feisty personality, and a warm and loving nature,” the statement added. “Our love for the Gardner family is unconditional and absolute, and we will offer our enduring support while understanding their desire for privacy at this time. May Miller rest in peace.”

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Brett joined the Yankees in 2008 and played with them for 14 seasons, helping to secure the World Series win in 2009. He stepped away from the sport in 2021.

He and Jessica married in 2007, and Miller was their youngest child. The couple also share a 16-year-old son, Hunter.

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