Authorities Raid Hotel in Costa Rica Following Death of Brett Gardner’s Son
Almost six months after the death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, Costa Rican authorities carried out a search of the hotel where the young man was found dead. A prosecutor suggested that the investigation could lead to a case of involuntary manslaughter. In his first media interview about the case, prosecutor Kenneth Álvarez revealed that the operation at the Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio lasted three hours and aimed to gather additional evidence related to the death of Miller Gardner from carbon monoxide, according to the autopsy. This was the first formal search of the hotel since the authorities went to the scene a week after the death.“Let’s remember that at that time the measurement of toxic substances was made at the site,” said Álvarez. “Based on those analyses, a second procedure was scheduled, which was carried out today to collect evidence.”
Kenneth Álvarez, ProsecutorTelevision cameras waited at the hotel entrance as three vans with agents from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) arrived to carry out the raid. Álvarez, who has indicated that the investigation focuses on possible charges of involuntary manslaughter, reported that the authorities searched the management, maintenance, and accounting offices, recovering physical and digital evidence. The prosecutor also mentioned that several hotel staff members have been interviewed and “have always been cooperative.” So far, no arrests have been made, nor have charges been filed. Brett Gardner could not be reached for comment on Thursday, and a Yankees representative did not immediately respond. Álvarez added that the Public Ministry has maintained “constant contact with the lawyers that the Gardner family hired in Costa Rica”.In addition, he indicated that the authorities have coordinated with an FBI attaché in Costa Rica to “guide the initial investigation and learn a little about the profile of the people”. Miller Gardner passed away on March 21st at the Costa Rican resort where he was staying with his family. Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica, announced the death of their youngest son two days later in a statement issued by the Yankees. According to the statement, Miller Gardner had fallen ill along with several members of his family during their vacation. Two days after that statement, a representative of the OIJ reported that Miller Gardner and some family members had “gone to eat at a restaurant and the food had made them sick.” In that interview, the spokesperson said that the OIJ considered asphyxiation before dismissing it. Subsequently, the OIJ confirmed that investigators believed the death was accidental and not the result of a criminal act. On April 2, authorities revealed that the cause of death was carbon monoxide, possibly originating from an adjacent “engine room.” In June, a representative of the prosecution indicated that the case was still under investigation and that prosecutors were seeking to “determine whether the cause of death was a homicide or not and, if so, to establish responsibilities.” Miller Gardner played American football in high school in South Carolina and wore the number 11, the same as his father wore for 14 seasons in MLB, all with the Yankees. Brett Gardner, a popular team leader, was a member of New York’s championship team in 2009 and retired in 2021.“They knew about the operation and we have been in communication,” he assured.
Kenneth Álvarez, Prosecutor
