Former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner has been a devoted husband and father for over a decade.
While on a family vacation in Costa Rica, Brett Gardner and wife Jessica Gardner shared March 23 that their son, Miller Gardner, suddenly died.
“With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation,” the couple shared in a statement on the Yankees’ official X account.
Along with Miller, Brett Gardner and Jessica Gardner also share son Hunter Gardner.
Aside from the statement, the couple has not publicly shared any additional information regarding the death of their younger son. Below, find an overview of what Brett Gardner has previously shared about his family.
Brett Gardner and his wife, Jessica Gardner, share sons Brett and Miller Gardner.Getty Images/@Yankees via X
The Gardner family lives in South Carolina
Gardner spent his entire Major League career with the Yankees from 2008 to 2021 and won a World Series with the team in 2009.
Brett Gardner and his family reside in Holly Hill, South Carolina, the Athletic reported in 2024, which is also the former MLB pro’s hometown.
Though they spend most their lives out of the public eye and off social media, the family has made a handful of appearances over the years.
Brett and Jessica Gardner have walked carpets at the Derek Jeter 18th Annual Turn 2 Foundation dinner in 2014, the CC Sabathia’s PitCCh In Foundation bowling tournament in 2017 and The LegaCCy Gala in 2019.
The couple made a rare appearance with their two sons, Hunter and Miller, at the CCandy Children’s Clothing Line Launch at MLB Fan Cave in New York City in 2013.
Brett Gardner, with his wife Jessica and two sons on Aug. 8, 2013 in NYC.JP Yim / Getty Images
Brett and Jessica Gardner have been known to give back
Brett Gardner was the Yankees’ 2016 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes players who “represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”
In 2016, Brett and Jessica Gardner hosted a luncheon for active duty service members at the Charleston Air Force Base.
Jessica Clendenin and Brett Gardner on Sept. 16, 2019 in NYC.Cassidy Sparrow / Getty Images
“Spending time with our active duty U.S. Air Force at Charleston Air Force Base was a highlight for me and Jessica, and a small way to say thank you for all you do to keep us safe and free,” Brett Gardner said at the time, per MLB.com.
The outlet reported that the couple has also provided Thanksgiving lunches to families at the Ronald McDonald House in Charleston and volunteered with the Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” program for children in need.
“Something that’s very special not only to myself but to my wife, Jessica, and our family is children — children in need,” Brett Gardner said at the time.
Brett Gardner has made his sons a priority
In August 2024, the Yankees held a special pregame ceremony honoring the 2009 World Series winners, which include players like Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia.
Brett Gardner, however, opted out of the celebration, with The Athletic reporting that he had another commitment.
“All I know is his son’s got a football game on Friday night and he intends to be there,” said Joe Bick, Brett Gardner’s longtime sports agent.
In a 2021 interview with South Carolina’s The Post and Courier reflecting on his career, Brett Gardner spoke about the sacrifice his family made to let him play the game.
“They have obviously sacrificed,” Brett Gardner said. “This game has been great to me and great to my family. But the longer you play and the older your kids get, the harder it gets and the more things I miss out on — not being able to see them back home doing their thing. And obviously makes it harder to be together all the time and things like that.”
Miller Gardner remembered for his ‘infectious smile’ and love of sports
Brett Gardner’s younger son, Miller Gardner, died suddenly at 14 in March 2025, and has been remembered for his “infectious smile.”
“Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile. He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day,” Brett and Jessica Gardner shared in a statement on the Yankees’ official X account.
Miller Gardner@Yankees / X
In a separate statement from the Yankees shared to X, the team called Miller’s death an “unimaginable loss” and recognized the entire Gardner family as part of the organization.
“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,” the team said, in part.
The Yankees described Miller as having “a spark in his eyes, an outgoing and feisty personality, and a warm and loving nature.”
Miller died in his sleep while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica, the family shared in the March 23 statement.
The entire family became sick after eating at a restaurant near the hotel at which they were staying, authorities said. All four were treated with unnamed medicine by the hotel medical team.
Miller’s cause of death has not yet been determined, and an official with the Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency said they expect autopsy and toxicology reports to be available in approximately two to three months.
The official, Juan Pablo Alvarado Garcia, reported March 25 that the agency ruled out asphyxiation, or a lack of oxygen as a cause of death. The update came as a reversal to the agency’s preliminary finding that Miller died by asphyxia after he ate something that made him sick.
Alvarado Garcia explained that, upon initial examination of the body, authorities found that Miller had vomit in his mouth and nose, leading them to conclude that he had asphyxiated with his own vomit.
Miller’s death is also being investigated by the agents of the Quepos and Parrita Subdelegation of the OIJ.
