Costa Rican authorities say Miller Gardner may have died of carbon monoxide poisoning

New York Post - Apr 1st, 2025

Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former Yankee star Brett Gardner, tragically died while on vacation in Costa Rica, with authorities suspecting carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause. The family was staying in a hotel where elevated carbon monoxide levels were detected, believed to have originated from a nearby machine room. Initial theories of food poisoning were dismissed after investigators found contamination levels reaching 600 parts per million in the hotel room. The investigation is ongoing, with final toxicology results yet to be released.

The incident has shed light on the potential dangers of carbon monoxide exposure in hotel accommodations, particularly in Costa Rica, where a similar incident claimed the lives of three American tourists last month. This tragedy highlights the urgent need for stringent safety regulations and monitoring systems in hotels to prevent such occurrences in the future. The story is still developing, and further updates are expected as the investigation continues.

Miller Gardner Brett Gardner Costa Rica Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hotel Safety Judicial Investigative Agency

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a detailed account of a tragic event with a focus on the investigation's preliminary findings. It is accurate in its reporting, based on credible sources, but lacks depth in terms of perspective and expert analysis. The article is timely and of public interest, addressing safety concerns relevant to travelers. While the structure and clarity are strong, the piece could benefit from greater balance and transparency, as well as a broader exploration of the potential implications of the incident. Overall, the story effectively informs readers about a significant issue but leaves room for further exploration and discussion.

Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of the death of Miller Gardner and attributes the cause to carbon monoxide poisoning, as indicated by Costa Rican authorities. The claims about the investigation's findings and the high levels of carbon monoxide detected are supported by quotes from Randall Zúñiga, the general director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigative Agency. However, the story lacks direct verification of the toxicology results, which are still pending, and the exact source of contamination remains speculative. The mention of a similar incident involving American tourists adds context but requires independent verification to confirm its accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the perspective of the Costa Rican authorities and their investigation findings. While it provides a coherent narrative about the suspected cause of death, it does not include perspectives from the Gardner family or independent experts on carbon monoxide poisoning. Including these viewpoints would enhance the balance and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the sequence of events leading to Miller Gardner's death and the subsequent investigation. The use of direct quotes from Randall Zúñiga helps to clarify the official stance on the cause of death. The language is straightforward, and the information is logically organized, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative.

Source quality

The article relies on statements from Randall Zúñiga, a credible source as the general director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigative Agency. This lends authority to the claims about the investigation's preliminary findings. However, the absence of additional sources or expert opinions on carbon monoxide poisoning limits the depth of the reporting. Including diverse sources would strengthen the article's credibility.

Transparency

The article is transparent in attributing its information to Randall Zúñiga and clearly states that the investigation is ongoing. However, it does not provide detailed information on the methodology of the investigation or the specific circumstances leading to the contamination. Greater transparency regarding these aspects would improve the reader's understanding of the investigative process and findings.