QUEPOS, Costa Rica — Costa Rican authorities stated it might take as much as three months to find out what killed the 14-year-old son of former Yankee Brett Gardner — as a result of a surge in murders within the Central American magnificence spot has overwhelmed coroners.
The Judicial Investigations Police within the Central American nation stated outcomes of toxicology, histology and neuropathology assessments for Miller Gardner might be delayed “as a result of excessive demand for autopsies being carried out within the nation as a result of enhance in homicides.”
Costa Rica’s murder fee hit an all-time excessive of 17.3 per 100,000 folks in 2023, elevating fears within the in style vacationer vacation spot, the English-language outlet Tico Occasions reported.
The spike in violence, which noticed greater than 900 killings within the nation of 5.1 million folks, is tied to an ongoing gang conflict — with immigrant teams combating over drug-trafficking territory, based on Cronkite Information.
The murders have even prompted a journey alert from the US State Division in December.
“Train elevated warning in Costa Rica attributable to crime,” the alert stated. “Petty crime is frequent all through Costa Rica. Violent crime, together with armed theft, murder, and sexual assault, additionally impacts vacationers.”
Resorts just like the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort at Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park the place the Gardners stayed stay comparatively protected, and lots of inns have safety guards on obligation.
However the US “Stage 2” alert urges vacationers to train “elevated warning” whereas within the nation.
Costa Rica’s homicide fee remains to be under many main American cities.
Chicago, as an example, had a fee of 20 killings per 100,000 folks in 2024. (New York Metropolis’s murder fee was 4.5 per 100,000 final 12 months.)
Nevertheless, the spate of killing has Costa Rican coroners working time beyond regulation to maintain up, which implies Miller Gardner’s case is on a ready checklist, officers stated.
Brett and Jessica Gardner, and their sons Miller and Hunter, have been vacationing on the seaside resort when Miller was discovered useless in his mattress Friday morning after changing into ailing the night time earlier than.
Authorities initially believed the teenager died from asphyxiation attributable to meals poisoning, however dominated that out this week and now suspect it was an allergic response to treatment he was given by a resort physician.
Brett Gardner, 41, manned the outfield for the Bronx Bombers for 14 years till his retirement after the 2021 season, and was a member of the Yankees’ 2009 World Collection championship staff.
