Brett Gardner, a former outfielder who spent his entire 14-season Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 2008 to 2021, and his family filed a lawsuit on Friday against Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. The suit relates to the death of their 14-year-old son, Miller Gardner, from carbon monoxide poisoning on March 21, 2025.
Miller Gardner died at the resort. Costa Rican officials ruled the cause of death as carbon monoxide poisoning on April 3, 2025, following initial investigations into possible food poisoning and asphyxiation, according to a statement from the family's attorneys at Motley Rice LLC.
The lawsuit alleges gross negligence, wrongful death, emotional distress, vicarious liability, breach of warranty, loss of filial consortium and other claims. It states that the resort's mechanical room did not meet safety standards and lacked carbon monoxide monitors, as did the guest rooms.
All four family members fell ill overnight during their stay. Gardner experienced severe vomiting and temporary paralysis in his arms and legs. His wife, Jessica, reported being cold, nauseous, weak, disoriented and hallucinating, with a head injury of unknown origin. Their older son, Hunter, had difficulty moving before going outside for fresh air.
A blood test showed Miller's carboxyhemoglobin saturation at 64%, above the 50% level considered lethal, according to Motley Rice LLC.
"This has been the most excruciating year for our family. We felt all along that this tragedy could have been prevented, and the preliminary investigation reports confirmed our beliefs," Gardner said in the law firm statement. "We are committed to raising awareness and pursuing meaningful change."
Motley Rice litigator Michael Elsner said the resort owners and management had been warned but failed to implement safety changes. Costa Rican authorities conducted a raid at the resort in September 2025, the first formal search since the death. No immediate comment was available from the resort or officials.
Gardner was part of the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship team and won the American League Gold Glove Award for right field in 2016.[1][2]
Sources
- Sports Reference LLC, "Brett Gardner Stats", accessed October 2024, https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gardnbr01.shtml
- MLB Advanced Media, LP, "Brett Gardner - New York Yankees Outfielder", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/brett-gardner-425766
- Arenas Del Mar, "Home", accessed October 2024, https://www.arenasdelmar.com/
