Authorities made a major breakthrough in figuring out what could have possibly contributed to Miller Gardner‘s death… But the hotel he was staying at now FIRMLY denies their findings!
On Monday, Randall Zúñiga with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency revealed in a press conference that less than two weeks after New York Yankees legend Brett Gardner’s son was found dead at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, investigators discovered “high levels of carbon monoxide contamination” in his room. He noted the 14-year-old “could have died from inhaling these dangerous gases,” adding:
“It’s also important to note that next to [the family’s] room there is a specialized machine room, from which it is believed some form of contamination may have reached the guest rooms, potentially causing the incident.”
We won’t know for sure until his autopsy and toxicology results come out, but that could take up to three months. But Zúñiga reported carbon monoxide “levels as high as 600 parts per million” were detected in the room, which is considered highly dangerous as “the appropriate level in this case should be zero.”
It seemed like after so much mystery surrounding the teen’s death — first with the false preliminary ruling of asphyxiation, followed by uncertainties surrounding the food and medication he consumed — we finally had a more solid answer regarding what really happened. But the hotel he was staying at FIRMLY disagrees.
Related: Gene Hackman & Wife Betsy Arakawa’s Bodies Still Unclaimed Weeks After Deaths!
On Tuesday, Dana Cohen, a rep for the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort, told the New York Post authorities made “an error in this initial reporting.” The rep claimed:
“We understand the concern has grown and to clarify the high levels of carbon monoxide were in a mechanical room that guests do not occupy. The levels in the hotel room were non-existent and non-lethal.”
Wait, what?! Didn’t Zúñiga say a “specialized hazardous atmosphere team” tested his room and came to that conclusion?? The rep added:
“There was an error in this initial reporting. As mentioned, we await for conclusive results to confirm the cause of this unfortunate death.”
So basically, they’re not denying high levels of carbon monoxide were present in the hotel — they’re claiming it was just contained to that “mechanical room that guests do not occupy.” Which IS in part what Zúñiga reported… And that Miller’s room was right next to that room.
This just all continues to be so confusing and SO heartbreaking. At this point, Zúñiga has not responded, but the investigation remains ongoing. We hope the Gardner family gets concrete answers SOON.
[Image via New York Yankees/X]
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