Autopsy results for Miller Gardner will take months due to an outbreak of violent crime in Costa Rica.
Miller, 14, died on Friday, March 21, while vacationing in Costa Rica with his family, including his father Brett Gardner, a former star outfielder for the New York Yankees.
In an interview with DailyMail.com, a representative for Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) said an autopsy has already been performed on Miller — but results won’t be coming anytime soon.
“We’re having a hike in homicides as these drug gangs battle for territory and every one of them needs an autopsy,” Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia said in a story published on Wednesday, March 26.
Gardner Family Didn’t Eat at Hotel the Day Before Miller Died, Resort Says
He added, “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.”
There were more than 900 homicides in Costa Rica in 2023, according to the OIJ, which marked the most deadly year in the country’s history. The murders were “primarily attributed to narcotrafficking groups.”
“Costa Rica, as you know, is a country that has not had an army since 1949 and has been an extremely peaceful country since then, so there is a great social impact due to the increase in the homicide rate, and last year we had 906 homicides in a population of 5.2 million inhabitants,” Mario Zamora, director of the Ministry of Public Safety, told Cronkite News in October 2024.
Miller was found dead in his hotel room at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica.
Brett Gardner’s Son Miller Was Following In His Footsteps Before His Death
His cause of death remains unknown, but officials have ruled out asphyxia, which was listed as the preliminary cause. Authorities now believe food poisoning may have been the cause.
Miller’s death was announced on Sunday, March 23 in a statement released by his parents via the Yankees.
“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller,” the statement read. “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.”
The statement continued, “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.”
