Nearly six months after the tragic death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, Costa Rican authorities have intensified their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boy’s passing. On September 11, 2025, agents from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department conducted a high-profile raid at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, the site where Miller died in his sleep during a family vacation on March 21.
According to ESPN, this latest raid lasted approximately three hours and was aimed at gathering additional physical and digital evidence from the hotel’s management, maintenance, and accounting offices. Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez, who spoke publicly about the case for the first time, told the outlet, “Let us remember that what was done at that time was the measurement of toxic substances at the site. Based on those tests, a second proceeding was scheduled, which was carried out today to collect evidence.”
This marks the second formal search of the property. The first took place just one week after Miller’s death, when authorities conducted an initial inspection to measure hazardous atmospheres and detected carbon monoxide in the room where the Gardner family was staying. The latest operation involved not only collecting evidence but also interviewing several hotel staff members. Alvarez emphasized that the staff “have always shown themselves to be collaborative.”
The investigation, which could potentially lead to a manslaughter or negligent homicide case, remains ongoing. No arrests or charges have been made to date. As reported by the Associated Press and PEOPLE, the Public Prosecutor’s Office clarified, “These proceedings seek to confirm or rule out the possibility of negligent homicide, that is, to determine whether this person’s death was caused by a breach of duty of care. For now, no one has been charged.”
The circumstances of Miller’s death have been shrouded in confusion and heartbreak. Initial reports suggested that Miller might have died of asphyxiation in his sleep due to food poisoning, especially since he and other family members had fallen ill after a meal at the resort. However, this theory was quickly ruled out when an examination found nothing blocking his airways, though there was vomit beside him. The family was left reeling, with Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica sharing in a March social media post that they “have so many questions and so few answers,” and that they understood Miller “passed away peacefully in his sleep” during the trip.
The official cause of death, confirmed by autopsy in early April, was carbon monoxide poisoning. Costa Rican investigators found high levels of carbon monoxide contamination in the hotel room, and Miller’s system showed elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin—a stable complex formed when carbon monoxide is inhaled. Medscape notes that such high levels are a clear indicator of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal even at low concentrations if exposure is prolonged during sleep.
The tragedy has not only devastated the Gardner family but also raised broader concerns about hotel safety standards in vacation destinations. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, has been responsible for numerous accidental deaths worldwide, often linked to faulty appliances or inadequate ventilation in hotel rooms. The case has prompted questions about the adequacy of safety protocols at resorts frequented by international tourists, particularly in regions where building codes and enforcement may differ from those in the United States.
The Gardner family, seeking answers and accountability, hired lawyers in Costa Rica who have remained in constant contact with Public Ministry officials. Prosecutor Alvarez confirmed to ESPN, “They knew about the operation, and we have remained in communication.” Despite the ongoing investigation, the family has largely refrained from public comment since sharing Miller’s obituary in March. The obituary, published in the Post and Courier in South Carolina, offered a poignant tribute: “The void Miller’s passing leaves in the hearts of his family, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches and others will be felt for years. The Gardner family will forever cherish the places they visited, the people they met, the friends they made, and the memories they created together. Miller’s 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.”
Brett Gardner, now 42, is well-known to baseball fans for his lengthy and successful career with the New York Yankees. He played for the team from 2008 to 2021, was part of the 2009 World Series championship team, made one All-Star team, and won a Gold Glove in 2016. Over his career, Gardner posted a .256 batting average, hit 139 home runs, drove in 578 runs, and stole 274 bases. His family’s tragedy has resonated deeply within the sports community, which has rallied in support and expressed condolences for the loss of young Miller.
In the weeks since the September raid, authorities have not released further details about the evidence collected or the trajectory of the investigation. The hotel, for its part, declined to comment when contacted by PEOPLE. The lack of public updates has fueled speculation and concern, both among those close to the family and in the broader public, about the pace and transparency of the inquiry.
The incident has also sparked renewed calls from travel safety advocates for hotels—especially those catering to international visitors—to install carbon monoxide detectors and conduct regular inspections of their heating and ventilation systems. While such measures are standard in many countries, they are not universally mandated or enforced.
As the investigation continues, the Gardner family and all those touched by Miller’s life remain in a painful limbo, waiting for answers and hoping for accountability. The outcome of the Costa Rican authorities’ probe may have implications far beyond one tragic case, potentially influencing hotel safety regulations and traveler awareness in the region and beyond.
For now, the memory of Miller Gardner endures in the hearts of his family, friends, and the many whose lives he touched. The search for truth and justice presses on, even as the void left by his passing remains achingly present.