Prelim Cause Of Death Revealed For 14-Year-Old Son Of Ex-Yankee Brett Gardner

Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of ex-Yankees star Brett Gardner, seems to have died by asphyxiation, an official in Costa Rica told NBC News on Monday.

Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, who’s with the country’s Judicial Investigation Agency, told the network that the teen possibly fell ill from digesting something during the family trip.

ABC News reported that a reaction to “food intoxication” perhaps triggered the cutoff of oxygen.

The boy was discovered dead Friday in a hotel room in the resort district of Manuel Antonio.

“With heavy hearts, we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller,” Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica Gardner, wrote Sunday in a statement distributed by the Yankees, for whom the outfielder played 14 seasons. “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.

News accounts noted the cause-of-death finding was preliminary with an autopsy and toxicology report to follow.

“Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,” the Gardners said in the statement. “He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.”