Carbon monoxide poisoning caused the death of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner’s teenage son, confirmed by Costa Rican authorities Wednesday night.
Randall Zuniga, director of the Judicial Investigation Bureau, said he tested 14-year-old Miller Gardner, a compound produced when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood. Carboxyhemoglobin saturation exceeds 50% is considered fatal. In Gardner’s case, this test showed 64% saturation.
The head of the Costa Rica judicial police added that “stratum” is detected in young organs during autopsies and is formed when the presence of toxic gases is high.
Costa Rican authorities first proposed earlier this week that carbon monoxide poisoning could blame the boy’s death in March.
Brett Gardner of the New York Yankees posed with his family at an event at the MLB Fun Cave in New York City in August 2013 (Paige Kalamari/MLB via Getty Images)
Authorities also said Gardner was staying in a hotel room next to the “machine room” and is now considered a source of pollution. According to Zúñiga, investigators discovered 600 parts of carbon monoxide levels, which is one millionth of a million. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous at just 101 parts per million, Alarm Maker Kidde warns.
Miller died “peacefully” while he was sleeping, his family said last month. His death was not considered suspicious, and investigators initially suspected it was caused by choking after “food poisoning.” Miller’s family, many of them have become ill, his parents said in an earlier statement — and also initially criticised food from restaurants for their illness, ESPN reported.
However, choking was later ruled out, and Costa Rica’s national police said the teenager’s respiratory system was clear.
Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica confirmed the death of their son in a statement shared via the Yankees on March 23. The couple, who share another son’s hunter, said “There are so many questions and few answers.”
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“Miller is our beloved son and brother, and we still can’t understand our lives without his infectious smile,” the statement continued. “He loved soccer, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived his life to the fullest every day.”
In another statement, the team wrote, “The Yankees family is full of sadness after learning that Miller Gardner has passed.” The team praised Miller last week ahead of their opening day game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Brett Gardner, a South Carolina native who attended Charleston University, was drafted in 2008 by the Yankees. He spent his entire major league career in New York, earning the team’s 2016 Gold Gloves in the 2009 World Series.
Miller Gardner was playing football in South Carolina, ESPN reported, wearing No. 11. According to Athletic, Miller also played as an outfielder and pitcher for baseball diamonds.
Gardner last played with the Yankees in 2021.
Michael Bartiromo from Associated Press and Nexstar contributed to this report.
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