It’s a story that’s rocked both the world of baseball and the quiet, sun-drenched beaches of Costa Rica: the tragic, unexpected death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. As the investigation enters its sixth month, Costa Rican authorities have intensified their efforts, conducting a second raid at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, where the young teen died during a family vacation on March 21, 2025.
According to ESPN, the latest raid, carried out on September 11, 2025, lasted three hours and was aimed at collecting additional evidence related to Miller Gardner’s death. Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez, speaking to ESPN via video call, explained that the operation was crucial for the ongoing investigation. “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 Costa Rican Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement released on Thursday, as reported by the Associated Press.
The facts of the case are stark and deeply unsettling. On March 21, Miller Gardner died in his sleep at the Arenas Del Mar resort. The family had been enjoying a vacation in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region when tragedy struck. Initial suspicions ranged from asphyxiation to food poisoning, but a forensic pathologist quickly ruled out those possibilities. By April 2, the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) of Costa Rica had confirmed the final cause of death: carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Gardner family, devastated and searching for answers, released a statement through the New York Yankees organization: “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. 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.”
The initial investigation, as detailed by CNN, included a raid on March 28, just a week after Miller’s death. That operation involved engineering professionals from the Costa Rican Fire Department’s Operational Unit of Hazardous Materials and forensic engineers from the Judicial Investigation Organization. Their task was to measure hazardous atmospheres and detect the presence of carbon monoxide in the Gardner family’s hotel room. The results were conclusive: carbon monoxide was indeed present and likely originated from a mechanical room adjacent to the suite where the tragedy occurred.
But as the months wore on, the case only seemed to grow more complex. The Quepos and Parrita Prosecutor’s Office, which oversees the region where the resort is located, announced that the second raid was necessary to seize documentary and digital evidence that could shed further light on the incident. “As a result of that operation and based on all the evidence gathered during this stage of the investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office determined the need to carry out a new raid in order to seize another type of evidence,” the office told CNN.
The investigation’s focus has now shifted to whether the tragedy could have been prevented—and if so, who might be held responsible. Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez told ESPN that authorities are examining the possibility of manslaughter charges if negligence is found. The Public Prosecutor’s Office clarified in its press release that, “These proceedings seek to confirm or rule out whether the event constitutes the crime of involuntary manslaughter, that is, to determine if this person’s death was caused by a breach of duty of care. For now, there are no identified suspects.”
For the Gardner family, the search for accountability is matched only by their grief. Brett Gardner, who retired after the 2021 Major League Baseball season, spent his entire 14-year career with the New York Yankees, earning recognition as an All-Star and a Gold Glove winner. The Yankees, who won the World Series in 2009 with Gardner on the roster, have expressed their condolences but have not commented further on the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort finds itself at the center of an international tragedy. CNN reports that the hotel has not responded to requests for comment. The resort, known for its eco-friendly luxury and proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park, now faces scrutiny over its safety protocols and maintenance procedures.
The broader context of the case highlights a growing concern about carbon monoxide safety in hotels and vacation rentals worldwide. Carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, is often produced by malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances or inadequate ventilation. Without proper detectors or maintenance, guests can be exposed without warning—a risk that has led to fatalities in several high-profile incidents globally. In the United States, some states have enacted laws requiring carbon monoxide detectors in hotel rooms, but regulations vary widely, and enforcement can be inconsistent. Costa Rica, a popular destination for American tourists, has come under pressure to review its own safety standards in the wake of Miller Gardner’s death.
For Costa Rican authorities, the case has become a litmus test for the country’s legal and regulatory response to accidental deaths involving foreign nationals. The OIJ’s involvement, alongside the Public Prosecutor’s Office and multiple engineering experts, underscores the seriousness with which the investigation is being pursued. “That initial inspection allowed for measurements of hazardous atmospheres and the detection of carbon monoxide in the room where the Gardner family was staying,” the Prosecutor’s Office said, as quoted by the Associated Press.
No charges have been filed as of yet, and the investigation remains ongoing. The authorities are now analyzing the seized documentary and digital evidence, hoping to piece together a timeline and determine whether hotel staff or management failed in their duty of care. The outcome could have far-reaching implications—not just for the parties involved, but for hotel safety standards across Costa Rica and potentially beyond.
As the Gardner family waits for answers and justice, the case serves as a somber reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk even in paradise. The tragedy of Miller Gardner’s death has prompted soul-searching among travelers, hoteliers, and officials alike, raising urgent questions about safety, responsibility, and the unforeseen risks that can change lives in an instant. For now, all eyes remain on Costa Rican authorities as they work to bring clarity—and perhaps closure—to a story that’s touched hearts on both sides of the equator.