{"id":8761,"date":"2025-03-24T15:18:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T15:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/strongermarriages\/?p=8761"},"modified":"2025-06-22T21:50:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T21:50:57","slug":"former-yankee-brett-gardner-mourns-sudden-death-of-14-year-old-son-miller-unimaginable-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/strongermarriages\/2025\/03\/former-yankee-brett-gardner-mourns-sudden-death-of-14-year-old-son-miller-unimaginable-loss.html","title":{"rendered":"Former Yankee Brett Gardner Mourns Sudden Death of 14-Year-Old Son, Miller \u2014 Now Under Investigation as Possible Homicide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Richard Paul Kane \/ Shutterstock.com, Inset: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is still reeling from the heartbreaking and sudden loss of his 14-year-old son, Miller, who died on March 21 while the family was staying at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Costa Rica.<\/p>\n

Initially described as an \u201cunimaginable loss\u201d by the family in a statement, new developments have revealed that Costa Rican authorities are now investigating the teen\u2019s death as a potential homicide.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of the investigation is precisely to determine whether or not we are dealing with a possible homicide,\u201d a spokeswoman for Costa Rica\u2019s Prosecutor\u2019s Office told ESPN on Thursday. \u201cFor this reason, it is not possible at this time to confirm or rule out that a crime has been committed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller was originally thought to have died from asphyxiation in his sleep due to food poisoning, but a toxicology report released in early April revealed no blockage of the windpipe. Instead, the report confirmed that Miller died from carbon monoxide inhalation, with \u201chigh levels\u201d of the gas found in his hotel room\u2014located adjacent to a mechanical room at the resort.<\/p>\n

While the Judicial Investigation Agency of Costa Rica reported dangerously high carbon monoxide levels in the Gardners\u2019 room, the resort disputed those findings, claiming the gas was confined solely to the machine room and did not seep into guest quarters.<\/p>\n

Authorities remain in the first stage of their criminal procedure, collecting and analyzing evidence to determine whether formal charges will follow. A second stage of the process could involve official indictments and a trial.<\/p>\n

As of now, the Gardner family has remained quiet regarding the new developments and has not issued any additional public statements beyond Miller\u2019s obituary, published on March 31.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe void Miller\u2019s passing leaves in the hearts of his family, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and others will be felt for years,\u201d the obituary read.
\n\u201cMiller\u2019s time here with [his friends and family] was brief, but his spirit will carry on forever through those who were impacted by the way he lived. Miller was so blessed with experiences and friendships in his 14 years, and would want other children to have the opportunity to create their own wonderful memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brett Gardner, 41, played his entire 14-year Major League Baseball career with the Yankees, retiring in 2021. He was a key part of the team\u2019s 2009 World Series championship, earned an All-Star selection in 2015, and won a Gold Glove in 2016. Despite his accomplishments on the field, the devastating loss of his son has brought an entirely different kind of heartbreak\u2014one no parent should have to endure.<\/p>\n

As the investigation continues, friends, fans, and the faith community are keeping the Gardner family in their prayers, trusting God\u2019s comfort and justice in the midst of unspeakable grief.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is still reeling from the heartbreaking and sudden loss of his 14-year-old son, Miller, who died on March 21 while the family was staying at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Costa Rica. Initially described as an \u201cunimaginable loss\u201d by the family in a statement,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":8773,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nFormer Yankee Brett Gardner Mourns Sudden Death of 14-Year-Old Son, Miller \u2014 Now Under Investigation as Possible Homicide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Retired outfielder Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica, said in a statement that their son Miller recently became ill while on vacation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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