Brett Gardner's son died from carbon monoxide poisoning: authorities
Miller Gardner cause of death revealed
Carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of the teenage son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, authorities in Costa Rica confirmed.
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) - Carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death of the teenage son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, authorities in Costa Rica confirmed Wednesday night.
What we know:
Randall Zúñiga, director of the Judicial Investigation Agency, said they tested the 14-year-old Miller Gardner for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound generated when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood.
When carboxyhemoglobin saturation exceeds 50%, it is considered lethal. In Gardner’s case, the test showed a saturation of 64%.
Brett Gardner's son dies on family vacation
The 14-year-old son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner has died during a family vacation in Costa Rica. The Gardner family released a statement saying Miller Gardner passed away in his sleep after falling ill, along with several other family members. The U.S. State Department has confirmed the death and says it is closely monitoring the investigation by local authorities. An official cause of death is still pending as autopsy and toxicology reports are awaited. FOX 5's Meredith Gorman has the latest.
"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," Zúñiga said.
The head of the Costa Rican judicial police added that, during the autopsy, a "layer" was detected on the young man’s organs, which forms when there is a high presence of the poisonous gas.
The backstory:
Miller Gardner died on March 21 while staying with his family at a hotel on the Manuel Antonio beach in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific.
Asphyxiation was initially thought to have caused his death. After an autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Section, that theory was ruled out.
Another line of investigation was into whether the family had suffered food poisoning. Family members had reported feeling ill after dining at a nearby restaurant on the night of March 20 and received treatment from the hotel doctor.
Who is Brett Gardner?
Brett Gardner spent his entire 14-year Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees, having been drafted by the team in 2005 and making his MLB debut in 2008.
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 25: Brett Gardner #11 of the New York Yankees reacts against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium on May 25, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Known for his speed, defense, and leadership, Gardner became a key figure for the Yankees over the years.
He earned a reputation as a fan favorite thanks to his relentless work ethic and dedication to the game.
As an outfielder, Gardner played an integral role in the Yankees' lineup, including during their 2009 World Series championship run, their last title to date.
He retired after the 2021 season and has remained away from baseball since.