Former Yankee Brett Gardner's son did not die by asphyxiation, Costa Rican police say
NEW YORK — The 14-year-old son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner did not die of asphyxiation, Costa Rican officials said Tuesday, ruling out a cause of death they had previously cited as a possibility.
The Costa Rican National Police came to that conclusion because Miller Gardner's respiratory tract was clear, they told ABC News. Testing continues, but the results of an autopsy may not be available for three months, police said.
Authorities had told outlets on Monday that they suspected Miller died of asphyxia due to possible 'food intoxication.'
Miller died in his sleep on Friday morning after he, along with other family members, fell ill while on vacation, according to a statement shared by Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica.
'We have so many questions and so few answers at this point,' they said in their statement.
Miller was the youngest of the Gardners' two sons.
'Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,' Brett and Jessica Gardner said. 'He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.'
Brett Gardner, 41, was drafted by the Yankees in 2005 and spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the organization. He was part of the 2009 team that won the World Series and last played in 2021.
'Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss,' the Yankees said in a statement.
'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.'
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