UPDATE 4:30 P.M. PST: We got a BIG update on this story! CLICK HERE to learn what they’re saying about his cause of death now.
__________
Former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner’s son’s preliminary cause of death has been revealed.
Over the weekend, the athlete and his wife Jessica Gardner revealed through the official Yankees X (Twitter) account that their 14-year-old son Miller had tragically died after “falling ill” on a family vacation in Costa Rica:
“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.”
Related: Gene Hackman & Wife Betsy Arakawa’s Deaths: Police Bodycam Footage Released
So, so devastating. You can read their full statement (below):
Statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner:
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… pic.twitter.com/lBCBVmKGUe
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 23, 2025
And now days later, it appears some of their questions surrounding his mysterious death are beginning to get answered.
On Monday, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, an official with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, told NBC News the teen died of asphyxiation “after a possible intoxication after apparently ingesting some food.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, asphyxiation occurs “when you don’t get enough oxygen in your body. Causes include allergic reactions, drowning and foreign objects blocking your airway.” It’s still not clear exactly how “falling ill” factored into Miller’s asphyxiation, but the ruling is preliminary as the agency awaits an autopsy and toxicology report.
According to the official, Miller’s body was found on Friday morning in his hotel room in Manuel Antonio. What a completely tragic reality for Brett, Jessica, and their older son Hunter to wake up to. Our hearts continue to be with the Gardners during this unimaginably difficult time. Rest in peace, Miller.
[Images via New York Yankees/X]
Related Posts
