The official cause of death for Miller, the 14-year-old son of New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, has been determined.
On Wednesday, April 2, authorities confirmed that Miller’s passing, which occurred while his family was vacationing in Costa Rica, was due to carbon monoxide exposure.
Randall Zúñiga, director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), told the Associated Press that Miller tested positive for carboxyhemoglobin—a compound formed when carbon monoxide is inhaled, preventing oxygen from binding to red blood cells. According to Medscape, carboxyhemoglobin levels above 50% are considered fatal; Miller’s was measured at 64%.
During the autopsy, examiners also noted a “layer” on Miller’s organs, further indicating exposure to the toxic gas.
Zúñiga explained, “It’s important to note that adjacent to this room is a dedicated machine room, where it’s believed there may be some type of contamination toward these rooms.”
However, Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, where Miller and his family were staying, has disputed the investigation’s findings, claiming that carbon monoxide levels in the room were “non-existent and non-lethal.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the hotel for further comment.
In March, the MLB team released a statement on X on behalf of Miller’s parents, announcing his passing.
“With heavy hearts, we are saddened to share the loss of our youngest son, Miller. He was just 14 years old and left us far too soon after falling ill, along with several other family members, while on vacation. We have many questions and few answers at this time, but we do know he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21,” the statement read.
His parents described Miller as “a beloved son and brother” who was known for “his infectious smile.”
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has reached out with support and encouragement during this incredibly difficult time. We trust that our faith, family, and friends will help us navigate this unimaginable loss. Our hearts go out to Miller’s teammates, friends, and all families who have suffered the loss of a child far too soon—we share in their grief,” they added, requesting privacy as they mourn.
Later that month, officials ruled out asphyxiation as the cause of Miller’s death. Initially, NBC News reported that he may have died from “a possible intoxication after apparently ingesting some food.”
At the time, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, an official with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, stated that it could take “two to three months” for autopsy results to be finalized due to high demand.
“The results are expected to be available within that timeframe because of the increasing number of autopsies being conducted in the country, driven by a rise in homicides,” Garcia explained.
He also confirmed that “the case is being investigated by agents from the Quepos and Parrita OIJ Sub-Delegation and is currently classified as a death under investigation.”
On March 31, a video statement from Randall Zúñiga was shared on the agency’s YouTube account, confirming that while the investigation was ongoing, a “hazardous atmospheres” team had conducted tests in the family’s hotel room.
“At that time, high levels of carbon monoxide contamination were detected in the room,” Zúñiga stated. “This has led us to a line of investigation suggesting that the cause of death may be linked to the inhalation of these dangerous gases.”
He further noted, “Adjacent to this room is a specialized machine room, which is believed to have some level of contamination. This could have resulted in exposure to toxic gases at the time.”
Leave a Reply