Former Yankees Star Brett Gardner Files Lawsuit Over Son's Tragic Death at Costa Rican Resort
The family of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner has initiated legal action against the Costa Rican beachfront resort where their 14-year-old son, Miller Gardner, died from carbon monoxide poisoning in March 2025. The lawsuit, filed almost exactly one year after the tragic incident, targets the owners and operators of the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio.
Legal Allegations and Resort Response
According to court documents, the Gardner family alleges gross negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, and multiple other causes of action against the resort. The legal filing specifically contends that inadequate ventilation in a mechanical room allowed carbon monoxide to infiltrate the family's accommodation, resulting in Miller's death and illness among other family members.
The defendants named in the lawsuit include:
- David Callan and R. Scott Williams, who own and operate the resort
- Hawk Opportunity Fund LP, a Pennsylvania-based venture capital firm associated with the property
Resort representatives previously contested claims of carbon monoxide presence in guest rooms, stating in April 2025 that "levels in the hotel room were non-existent and non-lethal" and suggesting initial reporting contained errors. They acknowledged detecting poisonous fumes in a mechanical area not occupied by guests.
Tragic Vacation Details Emerge
The Gardner family was vacationing at the luxury resort, where rooms cost approximately $1,000 per night, when tragedy struck. Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica announced their son's death through the Yankees organization on March 23, 2025, revealing that multiple family members had fallen ill during their stay.
Medical responders attempted resuscitation for thirty minutes after a family member discovered Miller not breathing, but their efforts proved unsuccessful. Initial speculation about food poisoning or adverse medication reactions gave way to official confirmation from Costa Rican authorities in early April.
Official Investigation Findings
Randall Zuniga, general director of Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ), confirmed that carbon monoxide exposure caused Miller Gardner's death. "Concentrations above 50% are already lethal," Zuniga stated. "In this case, the saturation percentage is higher, thus proving the police's hypothesis that the death was due to exposure to carbon monoxide."
Forensic tests revealed high levels of carboxyhemoglobin—a compound formed when carbon monoxide binds to blood hemoglobin—in the teenager's system. Comprehensive drug screenings, including tests for fentanyl and other substances, returned negative results.
Ongoing Criminal Investigation
In September 2025, Costa Rican authorities conducted a three-hour raid on the Arenas Del Mar resort, marking the first such action at the property. Prosecutor Kenneth Alvarez explained that investigators collected additional evidence during the operation, which included searching management, maintenance, and accounting offices while gathering both physical and digital materials.
Alvarez revealed that the criminal investigation is examining potential manslaughter allegations, though no arrests or formal charges have been filed to date. Judicial Investigation Department agents arrived in three pickup trucks to execute the search warrant, interviewing several hotel staff members during the process.
The family's legal representatives at Motley Rice law firm have emphasized the profound loss suffered by the Gardners, who continue to seek accountability through both civil litigation and supporting the ongoing criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding their son's preventable death.
