|
    Miller Gardner (left), is the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees baseball player Brett Michael Gardner (right). Photos via the New York Yankees.
|
|||
 You
Might
Also Like    
     |
Published on
Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff and wire services
On
Friday, Miller Gardner, the
14-year-old son of former New York
Yankees baseball player Brett Michael
Gardner passed while he was with his
family on a vacation trip in Costa
Rica.
According
preliminary report released by the
Judicial Investigation Organization to
NBC News,
the teenager’s body was found on
Friday, March 21, in a hotel room,
located near Manuel Antonio
Beach,
in Puntarenas Province. Gardner's
son appears to have died by
asphyxiation after possibly having
gotten sick from eating something
during the family vacation trip, the
official, Juan Pablo Alvarado-Garcia told
to NBC. The
teenager's remains were transported to
the OIJ morgue
facilities
in Heredia, where forensic experts
conducted an autopsy to determine the
cause of death. The results revealed
by Alvarado are preliminary, pending a
toxicology report and autopsy. Authorities
have not disclosed further details
about the case. The investigation is
ongoing, and authorities have kept the
case confidential. Only the victim’s
family members are authorized to
request further
information.
On
Sunday afternoon, Brett Gardner and
his wife, Jessica, announced the death
of their son, Miller, in a statement
released by the New York Yankees
social media. "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," said the
Gardners in their statement. "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." "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," the Gardners family
added.
"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," they
added.
The
Gardners request respect and privacy
as they mourn and search for healing. Brett
Michael Gardner is a former
professional baseball outfielder who
spent his entire 14-year, from 2008 to
2021, in Major League Baseball (MLB)
career with the New York Yankees. The
U.S. Embassy provides guidance and
support to families of U.S. citizens
who die abroad, depending on whether
the deceased was accompanied by family
and whether they were visiting or
residing in Costa Rica. "The
Consular Section can provide
information on funeral homes that
arrange local burials or prepare
remains for shipment to the United
States," the Embassy’s website states.
"The Consular Section also issues a
Consular Report of Death Abroad,
serving as a U.S. death certificate
for legal purposes." The
Embassy noted it does not fund
funeral, repatriation, or burial
expenses for Americans who die
overseas. However, families are not
required to travel to Costa Rica to
manage arrangements. Embassy
representatives can act on their
behalf to coordinate with local
authorities and service providers. For
further information, individuals can
contact the U.S. Embassy at (506)
2519-2590 or (506) 2519-2093. An
after-hours emergency line is
available at (506) 2519-2000.
The
OIJ, a division of Costa Rica’s
Supreme Court of Justice, oversees
criminal investigations and has nationwide
jurisdiction.
---------------
          |
||
|