Family of Miller Gardner sues resort over teenager's death - ESPN

The family of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner filed a wrongful death lawsuit Friday against the owners and operators of the Costa Rican resort where their 14-year-old son Miller was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in March 2025.

Six months after authorities raided Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, the lawsuit said the defendants «failed to comply with basic safety standards,» and the family's attorney said there was evidence of and warnings about the need for safeguards.

The lawsuit added, without providing evidence, that other guests suffered «similar injuries» while staying in the same rooms. Miller Gardner's parents and older brother all became seriously ill, and the lawsuit said Brett Gardner described «fighting for his life» and feeling as if he was «unable to use his arms or legs.»

The Gardner family stayed in rooms adjacent to a mechanical control room from where it said the carbon monoxide emitted, the lawsuit said. It said this happened because of the defendants' placement of a gas water heater and failure to provide proper ventilation.

«We felt all along that this tragedy could have been prevented, and the preliminary investigation reports confirmed our beliefs,» the Gardner family said in a statement.

The family's attorney, Michael Eisner, added: «Documents show they were warned and failed to implement simple changes for the safety of their guests. There must be accountability for these types of owner decisions.»

The family is seeking damages for wrongful death, gross negligence and emotional distress, among other things. No criminal charges have been filed, and an investigation in Costa Rica continues.

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