Former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner's youngest son, Miller, is now suspected to have died from food poisoning, Costa Rican police announced on Tuesday (March 25) via the New York Post.

An initial examination of Miller's body found that his airways were not obstructed, ruling out asphyxiation, which was initially suspected to be a factor in his death, Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Police confirmed.

“Therefore, various samples were sent to the [agency’s] Forensic Science laboratories for three analyses: histology, toxicology and neuropathology,” a rep for the department in an email to the New York Post. “A study was also requested from the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health at the University of Costa Rica.

“The results are expected to be available in two to three months due to the high demand for autopsies being performed in the country due to the increase in homicides.”

Miller, who was Brett and Jessica Gardner's youngest of two sons, was reported to have fallen seriously ill along with several family members during the vacation. Miller's death has not yet been officially confirmed by an autopsy or toxicology results, both of which are pending, according to Juan Pablo Alvarado, an official with Costa Rica's Judicial Investigative Agency.

Local authorities are currently working with the Gardner family to transfer Miller's body back to the U.S. The U.S. State Department confirmed that Costa Rican authorities were actively investigating the teenager's death and closely monitoring local authorities as the investigation continues.

“Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time, we have no further comment at this time,” the department said in a statement to the New York Post.

Gardner, 41, who spent his entire 14-year MLB career with the Yankees from 2008 to 2021, as well as his entire minor league career within the organization from 2005 to 2008, and his wife, Jessica, released a statement announcing their son's death on behalf of the team on Sunday (March 23).

Vicki McKenna