Brett Gardner’s 14-Year-Old Son Miller’s Body Released to Family

• The body of Miller Gardner — the 14-year-old son of Brett Gardner — has been released to his family.
• Officials released the body back to the family on March 26, the Costa Rican Judicial Investigations Police confirmed.
• The former New York Yankees player’s teenage son died unexpectedly in his sleep while the family was on vacation in Costa Rica earlier this month.

Officials in Costa Rica have released the body of 14-year-old Miller Gardner — the son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner — to his family.

According to The New York Post, Costa Rican Judicial Investigations Police confirmed that Miller’s body was released to his parents on Wednesday, March 26, following his sudden death while the family was vacationing at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort.

The former MLB player, alongside his wife Jessica, announced the death of their teenage son in a statement on X on March 23.

“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,” Brett, 41, and Jessica wrote in the post.

“We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st,” they continued.

“Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile,” Brett and Jessica wrote. “He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day.”

The parents added that they were “so thankful” to all who had reached out and were thinking of Miller’s teammates and friends “as well as to all other families who have lost a child far too soon as we share their grief.”

Miller, his parents and his brother Hunter had been vacationing at the Costa Rican resort when the teen fell ill and died. A cause of death is not yet known, but an official previously confirmed to PEOPLE that they had ruled out asphyxiation.

Samples have been sent to histology, toxicology and neuropathology labs for further testing, and results are expected in two to three months, the official said. The case is still being handled as a death under investigation.

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A number of Brett’s fellow MLB players have rallied around the family in the wake of Miller’s death. The Yankees also honored Miller with a moment of silence at their Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 27, and the team put out their own heartfelt statement on Instagram Stories, writing that the Yankees family’s “hearts are heavy” and “filled with grief.”

“Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss,” the team said. “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 Yankees added that they were grieving alongside Jessica, Brett and Hunter, describing Miller as having a “spark in his eyes, an outgoing and feisty personality, and a warm and loving nature.”

“Our love for the Gardner family is unconditional and absolute, and we will offer our enduring support while understanding their desire for privacy at this,” the team said.