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Costa Rica Hotelier Addresses Passing of Brett Gardner’s Son
A hotel proprietor in Costa Rica has publicly commented on the unfortunate demise of Miller Gardner, son of Brett Gardner, the former baseball player.
Boris Marchegiani, owner of the Gaia Hotel, in an exclusive statement to Us Weekly on Friday, March 28, stated, “The reality is that throughout the extensive history of tourism in Manuel Antonio, spanning numerous decades, we have never encountered an incident of this nature. Naturally, we have seen instances of guests experiencing allergic reactions to specific foods, often due to a failure to inquire about ingredients such as shrimp, peanuts, or other allergens prior to ordering.”
Marchegiani further expressed, “However, a catastrophic event like this is unprecedented in this locality.”
Investigation into Miller Gardner’s Death Underway
Earlier this month, Miller Gardner tragically died while on a family holiday in Costa Rica. The family was accommodated at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort. Preliminary findings attribute his death to asphyxia, potentially stemming from intoxication after possibly consuming food, according to an official from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigative Agency (OIJ). The OIJ is currently awaiting toxicology report results to conclusively ascertain if foodborne illness was indeed the cause of death.
Hotel Owner Highlights Stringent Health Standards
Marchegiani further mentioned the rigorous enforcement by the Ministry of Health in Costa Rica to ensure establishments maintain elevated standards.
“They are exceptionally thorough in their oversight,” the hotel executive clarified. “Acquiring permits is a complex process, impromptu inspections are frequent, encompassing everything from smaller kitchens to major hotel culinary operations.”
Official sources from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency had previously confirmed that Brett Gardner and his family experienced “severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea” in the 24 hours preceding Miller’s passing. According to reports from the Daily Mail, the resort’s physician was summoned upon the onset of these symptoms and administered treatment.
Gaia Hotel Owner Denies Incident Occurred at His Establishment
While the origin of the illness affecting the Gardners remains uncertain, Marchegiani asserted that it did not originate from the hotel where the family was lodging. (The Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort previously indicated that the family had not dined at any of their dining facilities for lunch or dinner in the day prior to Miller Gardner’s death).
“Logically, the personnel at the hotel where they were guests should possess insights, as they would be aware of the places visited by the family,” he commented. “Typically, such incidents are unheard of, making this occurrence exceptionally unusual in my view.”
Marchegiani also communicated that his hotel has not experienced any reservation cancellations in the wake of this unfortunate event and intends to maintain strict adherence to their established procedures.
No Impact on Gaia Hotel Bookings
“We are recognized for our unwavering commitment to high standards in both our cuisine and overall hotel management,” he stated to Us Weekly. “As a five-star boutique hotel, our occupancy rates remain consistently high throughout the year.”
Marchegiani acknowledged hearing reports of reduced occupancy at some nearby hotels following the incident, but attributed this to typical seasonal fluctuations in Costa Rica’s tourism sector.
“My assessment is that this is more likely attributable to the natural decline in tourism towards the end of March and into April and May, excluding the Easter period, which generally affects other hotels,” he added. “In contrast, our hotel maintains full occupancy and projects to continue doing so.”