Following the tragic death of Brett Gardner's son, Miller, the hotel where they were staying has released a statement.
The Gardner family, including 14-year-old Miller and former New York Yankees star Brett, was vacationing in Costa Rica when the tragedy occurred.
Miller was found unresponsive in his hotel room at the upscale Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort near Manuel Antonio National Park on March 21.
The Yankees outfielder and his family later released a heartbreaking statement 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 added, 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 thanked those who’ve rallied around them: “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.”
But as the family continues to grieve, conflicting reports about what happened have emerged.
On Monday, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigative Agency (OIJ) announced that Miller had likely died from “asphyxiation due to intoxication related to food poisoning.”
Authorities initially believed the teen might have choked on his own vomit - but that theory was soon ruled out. Forensic experts found no blockage in his airway.
Soon after, the investigation shifted. Sources told ABC News that authorities were exploring whether the teen had an allergic reaction to medication administered after the family reported feeling sick.
However, medical experts quickly cast doubt on this as well.
Dr. Kevin Gannon, who runs Manuel Antonio Urgent Care near the resort and was one of the first medics on the scene, said the cause of death was unclear.
“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 continued. “We tested him for cardiac arrest and performed CPR for more than 30 minutes. There was not really much we could significantly do.”
Gannon confirmed that 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.
Still, he pushed back on suggestions of food poisoning or a food allergy.
“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. Usually it’s right away,” he explained.
He added: “Allergic reactions to normal gastrointestinal medications are very rare. 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.”
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Meanwhile, another potential cause has stirred intense debate: carbon monoxide poisoning.
On Monday, Costa Rican police claimed there were “high levels of carbon monoxide contamination” in the room where Miller was found. But the resort flat-out denied the claim.
“The levels in the hotel room were non-existent and non-lethal. There was an error in this initial reporting,” Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort told The New York Post.
While the resort didn’t dispute that carbon monoxide was detected, it said the high levels were found in a “mechanical room that guests do not occupy.” That room has since been closed “out of an abundance of caution” as investigators await conclusive results.
The FBI is also involved in the investigation, with Randall Zúñiga, general director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigative Agency, confirming they are “closely coordinated” with the case.
Sources told US Weekly that FBI agents had been assisting investigators on-site, but the resort told The Post that no FBI officials had been at the property as of Tuesday afternoon.
A pharmacy near the resort, which supplies emergency medications, also stated they made no deliveries the night before Miller was found. They did deliver a small amount of Imodium, a diarrhea treatment, the following morning.
As the investigation continues, Costa Rican officials have sent samples for extensive testing.
“Therefore, various samples were sent to the [agency’s] Forensic Science laboratories for three analyses: histology, toxicology, and neuropathology,” the OIJ said in a statement.
“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 a backlog of autopsies amid a rise in homicides, test results could take two to three months.
“I am eager for toxicology tests to be done on the teen,” Dr. Gannon said.
In the meantime, Arenas Del Mar - where luxury suites can cost over $1,300 per night - has slashed room prices. Bookings that once cost $1,330 per night are now listed at $998, and even standard rooms dropped from $790 to $593, according to the resort’s website.