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Doctor Provides Details on Miller Gardner’s Medical Emergency and Death in Costa Rica
A physician from a Costa Rican medical facility has offered further insight into the sudden medical emergency and subsequent death of Miller Gardner. The 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner passed away while on a family vacation, prompting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his demise. This article provides the latest details as the inquiry unfolds.
Emergency Response at Costa Rican Resort
Dr. Kevin Gannon, the director of Quepos Urgent Care hospital in Quepos, Costa Rica, stated that his medical personnel attempted to revive Miller after receiving an emergency call from his hotel on Friday, March 21. Speaking to news outlets on Wednesday, March 26, Dr. Gannon, though not directly involved in Miller’s treatment, confirmed that the hospital dispatched a rapid response team to the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort. This was the location where Miller was staying with his family at the time of the incident.
“We received the emergency dispatch from the hotel and responded without delay,” Dr. Gannon explained. “The urgent situation involved a 14-year-old male patient who was unresponsive. The on-scene team included a licensed physician, a registered nurse, and a trained ambulance emergency medical technician.”
Scene at the Hotel and Resuscitation Efforts
Upon arrival at the resort, the medical team encountered “a 14-year-old patient exhibiting no vital signs” in the presence of his “family members.” According to Dr. Gannon, the team “administered advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) CPR for a period of 30 minutes.” Despite their efforts, “the patient was pronounced dead after 30 minutes of resuscitation attempts.” Following protocol, “the authorities were then notified.”
Pending Autopsy and Cause of Death
The definitive results of the autopsy are still pending. “At this stage, the precise cause remains undetermined,” Dr. Gannon added, underscoring the ongoing investigation into Miller Gardner’s death.
Dr. Gannon refrained from discussing specifics regarding Miller’s medical history or potential causes of death. However, he did acknowledge that other family members had presented with “gastrointestinal distress symptoms.”
Family Illness Prior to Miller Gardner’s Death
Earlier on Wednesday, an official representative from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) disclosed that the Gardner family – Brett, 41, his wife Jessica, their elder son Hunter, and Miller – had experienced “severe stomach cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea.” These symptoms reportedly emerged after the family dined at a local restaurant on the evening of Thursday, March 20.
A physician affiliated with the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort was promptly contacted and allegedly “provided medication to all family members to address their reported symptoms.”
Tragically, the subsequent morning, Miller Gardner was discovered deceased in his hotel room. Initial reports classified his “preliminary cause of death” as asphyxia, stemming from “possible intoxication believed to be linked to food ingestion.”
Later, a separate official from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) informed news sources on Tuesday, March 25, that “asphyxiation due to intoxication related to food poisoning” was the likely cause of Miller’s death, based on preliminary findings.
Asphyxia Ruled Out, Investigation Continues
However, in a more recent update, an OIJ official clarified that asphyxia had been “entirely ruled out” as the cause of death after examinations confirmed that Miller’s airways were unobstructed. This development has shifted the focus of the investigation.
Medication and Potential Infection Under Scrutiny
Investigators are currently exploring whether the medication administered to Miller Gardner and his family the night preceding his death could be a contributing factor.
“We are conducting toxicology examinations to ascertain if this medication could have played a role in the fatality,” the OIJ official stated.
Furthermore, authorities are also investigating the possibility that Miller “arrived in Costa Rica with a pre-existing bacterial infection” from their residence in Summerville, South Carolina.
Delays Expected in Autopsy and Toxicology Results
The complete results of Miller Gardner’s autopsy and toxicology analyses are anticipated to be delayed by several months. This delay is reportedly due to a surge in gang-related violence in Costa Rica, which is impacting the resources of the forensic investigation agency.
“We are experiencing an increase in homicides linked to territorial disputes between drug gangs, and each case necessitates an autopsy,” the official explained, indicating the strain on the system and the subsequent wait for definitive answers in the Miller Gardner case.