Devastated baseball legend Brett Gardner and his wife are facing fresh agony over the mystery vacation death of son Miller because a murderous war between drug gangs in Costa Rica is delaying his autopsy results by months, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.
The couple must now wait up to 90 days to know exactly how their 14-year-old boy died in the central American country where bodies are piling up in a chilling spike in homicides which all need autopsies, a top official with the central American country’s Judicial Investigations Agency has admitted.
Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview at his office in capital San Juan: ‘We’re having a hike in homicides as these drug gangs battle for territory and every one of them needs an autopsy.
‘I can confirm that an autopsy has been carried out on Miller, But the full analysis and results, as in every one of them, will take at least two to three months due to these constant killings causing a backlog of cases. That’s the reality.’
Costa Rica has had nearly 1,800 homicides in the past two years, nearly 17 for every 100,000 of the population.
Most murders were attributed to narco-trafficking groups, with one report claiming 63 percent of the killings were carried out by hitmen settling scores.
Miller Gardner (second right) died over the weekend, his parents Brett and Jessica announced on Sunday
Miller was found dead in his room at the luxurious Arenas del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio on Friday morning after he and his family dined the previous evening at a nearby restaurant
Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigations Agency said the autopsy results will likely be delayed because of the country’s high homicide rate from gang violence
Miller was found dead in his room at the luxurious Arenas del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio on Friday morning after he and his family dined the previous evening at a nearby restaurant.
Alvarado revealed to DailyMail.com that New York Yankees hall of famer Gardner, wife Jessica, Miller and elder brother Hunter, 16, all suffered severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea later that evening.
He said the resort’s doctor was called immediately and she gave them all medication to combat the symptoms.
But in a startling new development, he revealed medical experts are now probing whether Miller might have had a bad or allergic reaction to any drugs they were given to alleviate the sudden sickness.
‘We’re doing toxicology tests to determine if this medicine could have caused the death,’ he told DailyMail.com.
He also said they were probing if Miller brought an existing bacterial infection with him after traveling to the Pacific coast resort from the family home in Summerville, South Carolina.
The entire Gardner family became ill the night before Miller was found dead, a new theory brought forward by the country’s medical experts is the 14-year-old may have had an adverse reaction to the medicine the resort doctor brought to their room to combat their symptoms
The family was staying at the luxurious Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
The senior official said there was no indication the death was due to recreational drugs or alcohol.
In scenario of shifting explanations, Alvarado told DailyMail.com that investigators had discounted a previously touted possible cause of death of asphyxiation following ‘possible food poisoning’.
However, he also exclusively revealed that food samples from where the Gardners dined on Thursday, March 20, have been taken for analysis.
If food is found to be a factor in the death, there could be a prosecution involving the restaurant, Alvarado added.
In another twist to the baffling case, one local eatery has come out and issued a strong denial that it had anything to do with Miller’s death, without previously being named publicly.
Le Papillon Restaurant at nearby Hotel La Mariposa said: ‘We would like to clarify that the Gardner family dined at our restaurant… on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – three days before Miller’s tragic passing.
Le Papillon Restaurant at nearby Hotel La Mariposa bizarrely said they had nothing to do with the incident even though they hadn’t been named as the family had dined there earlier
‘Any claims suggesting a link between our restaurant and this heartbreaking event are entirely false and unfounded.’
Miller’s body is currently being held in the morgue at the judicial agency’s forensic medical clinical section at San Joaquin de Floris, just outside San Jose.
‘The family have not been able to pick the body up yet because they are still waiting for all the procedures required by the American embassy here,’ Alvarado told DailyMail.com.
He said he did not know where the Gardners are staying.
‘Miller’s body can be repatriated to the United States at any time from the autopsy point of view. All the samples necessary for the results have been taken.’
Of the mix-up with the early cause of death report, he said: ‘When our agents showed up at the scene they observed the body with vomit in the mouth and nasal passages.
Miller’s body is currently being held in the morgue at the judicial agency’s forensic medical clinical section at San Joaquin de Floris, just outside San Jose
The family is waiting for the US Embassy to complete their procedure before the bring Miller’s body back home
‘So they provided a preliminary report saying it could have been asphyxiation due to the vomit.
‘We went with that version because the night before the family went to dine outside the hotel where they were staying and they all started to feel sick when they returned.
‘But once there was a deeper examination with the autopsy, the doctor did not find any abnormalities in the respiratory tract.
‘Now, we are focused on three areas as a possible cause of death: toxicology, neuropathology (nervous system diseases) and histology (the microscopic structure of tissues and organs).’
Brett and Jessica Gardner first announced their son’s death over the weekend in a heartbreaking statement.
‘With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller,’ they wrote.
Brett and Jessica Gardner first announced their son’s death over the weekend in a heartbreaking statement
The statement was posted to the New York Yankees official Facebook page confirming that their son had passed away on March 21
‘He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation.
‘We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st.
‘Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile. He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.’
The $1,000-a-night Arenas Del Mar resort said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time.
‘The factors that led to this tragic incident are unknown, and we are fully cooperating with authorities as they investigate.
‘We remain committed to supporting our guests and staff, prioritizing their well-being and safety, while respecting the privacy of those affected.’
Gardner, 41, played 14 seasons with the Yankees between 2008 and 2021 and was part of their 2009 World Series-winning team
The Yankees had also released a statement saying they are grieving with the family and will offer support
The US State Department told DailyMail.com: ‘We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death.
‘Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment at this time.’
Gardner, 41, played 14 seasons with the Yankees between 2008 and 2021 and was part of their 2009 World Series-winning team.
He was an American League All-Star in 2015 and won a Gold Glove in 2016.
New York coaches Aaron Boone and Joe Girardi shared their heartbreak over the news of Miller’s death.
‘We talk about being family all the time and even though Brett’s been gone for a few years, that doesn’t stop,’ Boone, the team’s current manager, told reporters.
‘A lot of people in there [the clubhouse] that know that family intimately. It’s a very tough day and very tough news.’
‘As best we can, we’ll be praying for the Gardner family and where we can, offering support,’ he added. ‘That’s kind of the unimaginable that unfortunately that’s where we are with it. Very sad. Very tough.’
The Yankees also released a statement, mourning Miller’s death.
‘Our hearts are heavy, and the Yankees family is filled with grief after learning of the passing of Miller Gardner,’ the team said.
‘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.’
