Carbon monoxide poisoning possible cause of death of son of former New York Yankees player, according to judicial police

By Djenane Villanueva, CNN

(CNN) — The death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, at a beach resort in Costa Rica is believed to be related to carbon monoxide inhalation, the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) of the Central American country said Monday.

OIJ director Randall Zúñiga explained that the first results of tests conducted on March 21 – the day the teenager died in his hotel room at the Arenas Del Mar resort – with a specialized team for hazardous atmospheres came in after being conducted by the Costa Rican Fire Department’s engineering division and the OIJ.

The official said a machine room, “which is believed to have some type of contamination that could have caused this situation,” was next to the hotel room where Miller Gardner was sleeping.

The hotel offered its condolences to the Gardner’s family Tuesday but said the cause of death is still uncertain.

“We deeply regret the recent passing of a minor that occurred in our facilities due to causes that are still unconfirmed. We express our sincerest condolences to their family and loved ones during this time of immense sorrow,” a statement to CNN reads.

“We are collaborating respectfully and diligently with the Costa Rican judicial authorities, who have taken on the corresponding investigation. We trust that the forensic process will clarify the real causes of this unfortunate incident in an objective, clear, and conclusive manner.

“For the moment, the investigation will continue its course with the analysis of the different theories put forth by the judicial authority. In respect to the ongoing judicial process and the privacy of the family, we will refrain from commenting on possible hypotheses or unconfirmed causes.

“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our guests and staff, and we reaffirm our permanent commitment to the highest standards in the operation of our facilities.”

A report was made to the Ministry of Health, who are cooperating with the FBI, Zúñiga said Monday.

“We also have to wait for the final results of forensic toxicology to determine exactly what caused the death. However, the initial lines of investigation indicate that it was due to this contamination situation, where up to 600 parts per million were found, when the correct level should be zero in this particular case.”

Zúñiga also pointed out that this is the first police advancement in the case.

Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica announced the death of their son Miller after a sudden illness during their vacation on March 23.

According to the OIJ, Gardner and his family were on vacation at the hotel in Manuel Antonio, a town on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

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