Pray: Former Yankees Outfielder’s Youngest Son Dies After Unexplained Illness

Published: March 27, 2025

Yankees baseball — Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

By Movieguide® Contributor

Former New York Yankees outfield Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica, have endured the unimaginable the last week after their son’s unexpected death.

While on a family vacation to Costa Rica, their son Miller Gardner, 14, died in his sleep last Friday morning, ABC News reported.

“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller,” Brett Gardener and Jessica wrote in a statement. “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.

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

During the most difficult time of their lives, Brett and Jessica turn to their faith, family and friends as they grieve.

“We are so thankful to all who have reached out to offer support and encouragement during this difficult time and we are confident our faith, family, and friends will help us navigate this unimaginable loss,” the couple said. “Our prayers go out to Miller’s teammates and friends, as well as to all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief.”

Local Response

The family was staying at the Arenas Del Mar Resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, when they got sick after eating at a local restaurant.

“The hotel staff dispatched a medical team immediately, including a licensed doctor, which arrived to handle the emergency situation,” the resort said in a statement. “Our hotel protocol at Arenas Del Mar does not allow for hotel staff to provide any medication to guests.”

The authorities and medical team are still examining the cause of Miller’s death but have ruled out asphyxiation.

Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, an official with Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, said, “it was preliminarily ruled out that the cause of death was due to asphyxia, due to the fact that at the time of the inspection of the body, no anomaly was observed at macro level in the respiratory tract.”

ABC reported that the autopsy could take up to three months to complete due to the “significant demand” in Costa Rica due to its high murder rate.

“Our hearts are heavy, and the Yankees family is filled with grief,” the Yankees said in a statement. “It wasn’t just Brett who literally grew up in this organization for more than 17 years — so did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys, Hunter and Miller.”

“Our love for the Gardner family is unconditional and absolute, and we will offer our enduring support,” the team added.

Please pray for the entire Gardner family and all those closest to them as they mourn Miller’s death.