Miller Gardner died of carbon monoxide poisoning, Costa Rica says

Brett Gardner's lad died of c monoxide poisoning, Costa Rica says

Brett Gardner's lad died of c monoxide poisoning, Costa Rica says 00:33

San Jose, Costa Rica — Carbon monoxide poisoning was the origin of decease of the teenage lad of erstwhile New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, authorities successful Costa Rica confirmed Wednesday night.

Randall Zúñiga, manager of the Judicial Investigation Agency, oregon OIJ,  said they tested the assemblage of 14-year-old Miller Gardner for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound generated erstwhile carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin successful the blood.

When carboxyhemoglobin saturation exceeds 50%, it is considered lethal. In Gardner's case, the trial showed a saturation of 64%.

"It's important to enactment that adjacent to this country is simply a dedicated instrumentality room, wherever it's believed determination whitethorn beryllium immoderate benignant of contamination toward these rooms," Zúñiga said.

Miller Gardner successful an undated photo. New York Yankees / X

The caput of the Costa Rican judicial constabulary added that, during the autopsy, a "layer" was detected connected the young man's organs, which forms erstwhile determination is simply a precocious beingness of the poisonous gas.

Miller Gardner died connected March 21 portion staying with his household astatine a edifice connected the Manuel Antonio formation successful Costa Rica's Central Pacific.

The household said successful a connection that helium died successful his sleep.

In a connection earlier this week, the edifice wherever the household had been staying, the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, said it was "heartbroken by the tragic nonaccomplishment that precocious occurred connected our premises," and said, "We are diligently cooperating with the Costa Rican judicial authorities, who person taken implicit the investigation. We spot that the forensic process volition objectively, clearly, and conclusively clarify the causes of this unfortunate incident."

Asphyxiation was initially thought to person caused his death, but aft an autopsy was performed by the Forensic Pathology Section, that mentation was ruled out. A erstwhile enactment of probe besides looked into whether the household had suffered nutrient poisoning. Family members had reported feeling sick aft eating astatine a adjacent edifice connected the nighttime of March 20 and received attraction from the edifice doctor.

OIJ Director Rándall Zúñiga said the decease probe was "closely coordinated" with the FBI.

Brett Gardner, 41, was drafted by the Yankees successful 2005 and spent his full large league vocation with the organization. The speedy outfielder batted .256 with 139 homers, 578 RBIs, 274 steals and 73 triples successful 14 seasons from 2008-2021.