The tragic death of 14-year-old Miller Gardner, son of former New York Yankees star Brett Gardner, continues to raise questions. Initial reports suggested food poisoning as the cause of death, but new information points to a different conclusion. A Costa Rican forensic pathologist, Dr. Maikel Vargas-Sanabria, provided exclusive insight to Us Weekly, shedding light on the potential misdiagnosis.
Dr. Vargas-Sanabria explained that for food poisoning to be mistaken for carbon monoxide poisoning, it would have to be a rapid and severe case, akin to an anaphylactic reaction. This would involve an immediate and dramatic collapse due to a severe allergy, mimicking the swift onset of symptoms seen in carbon monoxide poisoning.
He emphasized the distinction between typical food poisoning, characterized by gastrointestinal distress like vomiting and diarrhea, and the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide, he explained, causes chemical asphyxiation by binding to hemoglobin, preventing the blood from carrying oxygen to vital organs, primarily the brain and heart. This leads to rapid onset of drowsiness, seizures, and a distinctive reddish discoloration of the skin, unlike the bluish hue seen in typical asphyxiation.
The initial report from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigative Agency (OIJ) stated asphyxia after possible food intoxication. However, General Director Randall Zúñiga later announced the discovery of high levels of carbon monoxide in the hotel room, suggesting a different cause of death. The official cause of death will come from the autopsy and toxicology reports, expected in several months. Dr. Vargas-Sanabria’s statements highlight the complexity of diagnosing sudden deaths and the importance of thorough investigation in reaching accurate conclusions. The Gardner family is planning to establish an organization to honor Miller’s legacy, keeping his memory alive through a cause close to their hearts.
