A doctor who treated Brett Gardner's son, Miller, has opened up about the state of his health at the time of his tragic death.
The Gardner family – Brett, his wife Jessica, and their two sons – had been vacationing at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort near Manuel Antonio National Park.
On March 21, Miller was found unresponsive in the family’s hotel room.
The Gardner family broke their silence shortly after Miller’s death with a heartbreaking statement released through the Yankees organization.
“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,” they wrote.
“He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation."
Miller, they said, was “a beloved son and brother.”
“We cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,” the family shared. “He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.”
They also expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received: “We are so thankful to all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time… Our prayers go out to Miller's teammates and friends, as well as to all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief.
“Please respect our wishes for privacy as we mourn and search for healing.”
Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) initially believed Miller died from “asphyxiation due to intoxication related to food poisoning.”
However, that theory was quickly ruled out when forensic experts found no airway blockage.
Dr. Kevin Gannon, who runs Manuel Antonio Urgent Care near the resort, was among the first medics on the scene.
“From what we encountered there, we could not verify a cause of death,” Gannon told The New York Post.
“To us it was very confusing.”
“We responded to a minor without vitals,” he added. “We tested him for cardiac arrest and performed CPR for more than 30 minutes. There was not really much we could significantly do.”
According to Gannon, the entire Gardner family had fallen ill the night before after dinner.
“The Gardners had all vomited after getting sick following the dinner the night before,” he said.
Despite early speculation, Gannon pushed back on the idea that food poisoning or an allergic reaction was to blame.
“Some people are saying it was anaphylactic shock from food he ate. But I will say it is very, very rare for a patient to eat food and go that long without a reaction,” he explained. “Usually it’s right away.”
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He clarified that he was speaking generally about food allergies and did not know exactly what occurred before his team arrived.
“Allergic reactions to normal gastrointestinal medications are very rare,” he added. “Most of the acute GI conditions can be treated with over the counter medication. And most do not have severe side effects or else they would not be over the counter.”
Officials are now conducting comprehensive testing to determine the cause of death.
“Therefore, various samples were sent to the [agency’s] Forensic Science laboratories for three analyses: histology, toxicology and neuropathology,” OIJ said in a statement to The New York Post. “A study was also requested from the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health at the University of Costa Rica.”
Due to the high volume of autopsies being conducted in Costa Rica amid a spike in homicides, results could take two to three months.
Dr. Gannon echoed the call for patience: “I am eager for toxicology tests to be done on the teen.”