Nearly six months after the tragic death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner at a luxury Costa Rican resort, authorities have intensified their investigation with a dramatic second raid on the property, seeking answers to a case that has shaken both the international baseball community and the world of travel safety. Miller, the youngest son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, died on March 21, 2025, during a family vacation at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio. His death, initially shrouded in mystery, was ultimately attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning—a revelation that has prompted scrutiny of resort safety and accountability.
According to CNN, Costa Rican authorities, including the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) and the Quepos and Parrita Prosecutor’s Office, conducted a second raid on September 11, 2025, at the Arenas Del Mar resort. The operation, which lasted three hours, targeted both management and maintenance offices. Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez confirmed to ESPN that the raid aimed to seize physical and digital records relevant to Miller’s death. "This second proceeding was necessary to collect more evidence after toxic substances were detected on-site earlier," Alvarez stated, underscoring the ongoing urgency and complexity of the case.
The first raid, carried out on March 28, 2025, focused on measuring hazardous atmospheres in the rooms where the Gardner family stayed. Engineering professionals and forensic engineers detected the presence of carbon monoxide in the family's room, according to a press release cited by CNN. This initial evidence shifted the investigation from early speculation of food poisoning to a more troubling scenario involving environmental hazards. On April 2, Costa Rican authorities confirmed that Miller’s cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning, with a toxicology report revealing a carboxyhemoglobin saturation level of 64 percent—a lethal dose.
Further investigation, as reported by various outlets including the Associated Press and Us Weekly, pointed to a "machine room" adjacent to the Gardners’ hotel room as a potential source of the deadly gas. Randall Zuniga, director of the OIJ, explained, "The young man’s organs had a very specific layer that is generated when a person dies from inhalation of carbon monoxide gases." This scientific clarity has not yet translated into legal accountability, but it has fueled questions about resort maintenance and oversight.
During the September 11 raid, authorities seized computers, electronic devices, routine control logs, work order documents, and other materials that could help clarify whether negligence played a role in the tragedy. As Prosecutor Alvarez told Us Weekly, "A second search was carried out to collect evidence that is still missing or that the Prosecutor's Office considers necessary for the investigation." He added, "The efforts focused on collecting digital evidence as well as physical documents and other materials that could help the Prosecutor’s Office continue developing its investigative theory and determine whether any individual(s) may be responsible for the minor’s death." Interviews were also conducted with individuals at the resort, though Alvarez emphasized, "The investigation has not been directed toward any individual. We are solely focused on collecting the necessary evidence and information."
The investigation is being examined under potential manslaughter statutes. The Public Prosecutor’s Office stated, "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." The authorities have maintained constant communication with the Gardner family, who have retained a law firm in Costa Rica to stay informed about every development. "Throughout the progress of the investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office has maintained constant communication with them and has kept them informed about the investigative procedures in the case, in which they are recognized as victims," Alvarez said to Us Weekly.
The tragedy has reverberated far beyond Costa Rica. In South Carolina, where Miller attended high school and played football, tributes poured in for the young athlete known for his infectious smile and love of sports. He wore No. 11 on the football field—the same number his father, Brett Gardner, wore during his 14-year MLB career with the Yankees, which included a World Series win in 2009. The Yankees released a statement mourning the loss: "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. 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."
As the investigation continues, the spotlight has widened to encompass broader concerns about safety standards at tourist destinations across Central America. Carbon monoxide incidents have raised alarms about building maintenance, oversight, and the adequacy of safety protocols at resorts catering to international travelers. The Arenas Del Mar resort has expressed sympathy for the Gardner family but has not provided public comment on the latest raid or the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have also coordinated with an FBI attaché to support the investigation, reflecting the cross-border implications of the case. Television cameras captured the high-profile nature of the September raid, as investigators arrived in pickup trucks and removed files and devices that could help determine whether resort safety protocols were ignored or insufficient. While no arrests have been made, the prosecutor’s office remains focused on whether Miller’s death was a tragic accident or the result of negligence warranting criminal accountability.
For the Gardner family, the past six months have been marked by both grief and a relentless pursuit of answers. Their legal team’s active involvement in Costa Rica signals a determination to see the investigation through, regardless of how long it takes. Meanwhile, the baseball world and the broader public watch closely, hoping for both justice and improvements in safety standards to prevent future tragedies.
The investigation into Miller Gardner’s death stands as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk even in the most idyllic vacation settings. Whether the evidence will ultimately point to systemic negligence or an isolated, unforeseeable tragedy remains to be seen. For now, the search for truth continues, with a family, a community, and a world of travelers longing for closure and accountability.