Courtesy of Hunter Gardner/Instagram
The sudden death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner in Costa Rica should not impact potential travelers from visiting the country, says the nation’s Chamber of Tourism.
Miller, the son of former Yankees star Brett Gardner, died while vacationing with his family in the tourist region of Manuel Antonio on Friday, March 21.
“We express our deepest sympathy to the family of the young man who passed away,” Shirley Calvo, executive director of Costa Rica’s National Chamber of Tourism, said in a statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, March 27. “We are truly saddened by this situation.”
The statement continued, “So far, no cancellations or impacts on tourism activity have been reported as a result of this unfortunate event. While various speculations have circulated regarding the possible causes of death, we believe this is an isolated and uncommon case in our country.”
The Costa Rica resort town where Miller Gardner died last week is on edge as questions linger about the 14-year-old’s death. “It’s a hard topic,” a hotel bartender in the tourist region of Manuel Antonio told the New York Post on Wednesday, March 26. “Everyone is worried because someone — a chef or someone who […]
Costa Rica has “established itself as a tourist destination known for the quality and safety of its offerings,” the Chamber of Tourism said, and vowed, “it is wise to wait for the official results of the investigation before making further assessments.”
“In the meantime, we call on the sector to reinforce controls and best practices at all levels of interaction with tourists, with the clear goal of continuing to provide safe, trustworthy, and satisfying experiences to those who choose us as a destination,” the statement concluded.
Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
The Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels also issued a statement to Us Weekly on Thursday, saying the organization “deeply regrets the situation that occurred.”
“At the same time, since we still do not have the biopsy results that will indicate the cause of this young man’s death, we cannot give a direct opinion on what led to the situation or why it happened in the area,” said Flora Ayub, the group’s executive director. “However, we once again emphasize that we deeply regret this and express our solidarity with the family.”
Miller and his family were staying at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort when they all became severely ill on the evening of Thursday, March 20. The Gardner family were all given medication by a doctor on the resort’s premises.
The New York Yankees paid tribute to the late Miller Gardner on a somber Opening Day in the Bronx. Miller, 14, the son of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, died while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica on Friday, March 21. Prior to the Yankees game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, March […]
The next morning, Miller was found dead in his hotel room. His cause of death remains unknown.
Authorities expect Miller’s toxicology and autopsy reports to take two to three months due to increased gang violence in Costa Rica, leading to a backlog of cases.
Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort has attempted to distance themselves from Miller’s death, telling TMZ Sports on Tuesday, March 25 that the Gardner family did not eat at their restaurants for lunch or dinner the day before Miller died.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts go out to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” the hotel said in a statement to Us Weekly on Tuesday. “The factors that led to this tragic incident are unknown, and we are fully cooperating with authorities as they investigate.”
