Authorities Have Ruled Out Asphyxiation as Cause of Death of son of Former Yankee's Player Brett Gardner

Although the death of Miller Gardner, who is a 14-year-old and son of the former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is still under investigation by the authorities, they have ruled out asphyxiation as a cause of death.

Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, spokesman for the Quepos and Parrita office of Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department said I'm his statement that the death of the teenager is still under investigation. He also added that although the death was handled as a possible asphyxiation case, this has been ruled out as of Tuesday. 

The outfielder Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica Gardner in a statement released by the Yankees, announced the passing of their son. According to the statement, Miller fell ill alongside other family members while on vacation. The family released a statement after announcement of Miller's death expressing their deepest sorrows in the time of the loss of the beloved son, 

On Monday 24th March 2025, according to ESPN, the United States Embassy in Costa Rica and the US Department of State confirmed the death of Miller who is a US citizen. However, no other details were released concerning the cause of death. The spokesperson told ESPN that no other information will be released out of respect for the family of the deceased. 

According to a phone call between Alvarado Garcia and ESPN, Miller Gardner was found dead in his hotel room on Friday in Manuel Antonio which is a popular district in the province of Puntarenas. He also said that Miller's airways were not obstructed but there were traces of vomit found in them. 

According to the family, they went to eat in a restaurant and the food there made them sick, there was no specific detail as to which family member went with him or the name or location of the restaurant. A study of the nature and cause of death of Miller Gardner was requested at the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health (INCIENSA) of the University of Costa Rica and asked for an autopsy alongside other analyses. 

The Yankees team also released a statement showing their concern and sympathy for Gardner's family. The statement read: 

"Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss. It wasn't just Brett who literally grew up in this organization for more than 17 years -- so did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys, Hunter and Miller. We grieve with Brett, Jessica, Hunter, and their community of family and friends in mourning the loss of Miller, who had a spark in his eyes, an outgoing and feisty personality, and a warm and loving nature. Our love for the Gardner family is unconditional and absolute, and we will offer our enduring support while understanding their desire for privacy at this time. May Miller rest in peace," 

The 14-year-old Miller Gardner was a high school football player in South Carolina and wore No. 11, the same as his father during the 14 MLB seasons with the Yankees. His father Brett Gardner was a member of the New York's 2009 championship team before he retired in 2021