
Malcolm-Jamal Warner died by drowning while swimming with 8-year-old daughter in Costa Rica
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's final moments unfolded in Costa Rica's treacherous waters
Lifeguard instructor Mike Geist, vice president of Caribbean Guard, told Us Weekly that Warner and a group had taken surf lessons earlier that day. Afterwards, Warner returned to the water with others, unaware of the intensifying sea conditions. Three people were successfully pulled out of danger, but Warner was still missing.
A boogie boarder who had remained onshore went searching and, along with a doctor in the group, found Warner submerged. CPR was administered on the beach, but it was tragically unsuccessful. The official cause of death was ruled as asphyxia, a condition caused by the body not receiving enough oxygen.
Dangerous currents, no lifeguards were the reason behind Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death?
Roger Sanz, president of the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce of the Southern Caribbean, confirmed the beach Warner was at is notorious for its dangerous waves and strong currents. While some hotels warn guests, many fail to provide adequate safety details. Sanz stressed that this knowledge gap can be fatal.
Geist admitted that the Caribbean Guard team was not stationed at Playa Grande that day. The patrol had shifted to another beach due to a string of recent incidents. He shared the guilt felt by the team, stating that had they been there, Warner's death might have been prevented.
A preventable tragedy sparks renewed pleas for support
Geist and other local officials are now urging for more funding and resources to keep beaches properly staffed and monitored. 'It is difficult to accept. We should have been there,' Geist said, adding that Warner's death is a devastating reminder of what is at stake.
Warner leaves behind his wife and daughter.

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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowning: Daughter was not in water, Costa Rica police confirm
Late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo on The Cosby Show, tragically died at age 54 after drowning in Costa Rica during a family vacation. New details from officials confirm he was not in the water with his daughter at the time. Malcolm-Jamal Warner tragically passes away Late actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, tragically passed away at the age of 54 after drowning in Costa Rica on July 21 while on a family vacation. New information from Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) has cleared up some confusion about the incident. Warner was at the beach with his daughter, and they were playing by the shore. At some point, he left her safely on the sand and then went into the sea with a friend. Unfortunately, both men got caught in a strong ocean current. Official cause of death was confirmed The friend managed to get out of the water safely. Warner, however, struggled and was pulled out of the sea by people nearby. Emergency services, including the Red Cross, tried to revive him, but he was declared dead at the scene. The official cause of death was confirmed as 'asphyxiation by submersion,' which means he drowned. Officials also confirmed that Warner's daughter was never in the water during the incident. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brought to you by Undo His body was identified by Costa Rican authorities and arrangements are being handled by a funeral service chosen by his family. A 29-year-old man from Nicaragua was also at the scene and tried to help rescue Warner. He was treated and released without any serious injuries. The investigation is still ongoing. Aside from The Cosby Show, Warner was also known for his roles in shows like 'The Resident', 'Community', 'Malcolm & Eddie', 'Major Crimes', and '9-1-1'. He also co-hosted a podcast called 'Not All Hood' with his friend Candace Kelley. In a touching tribute, Kelley shared that Warner always wanted to be remembered as a good person and by all who knew him, he truly was.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Malcolm-Jamal Warner died by drowning while swimming with 8-year-old daughter in Costa Rica
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role on The Cosby Show, has died at 54 after drowning in Costa Rica on Sunday, July 21. According to local authorities, Warner had been swimming with his 8-year-old daughter when they began to struggle against the ocean's powerful currents. Nearby surfers noticed the distress and jumped in to help. Malcolm-Jamal Warner's final moments unfolded in Costa Rica's treacherous waters Lifeguard instructor Mike Geist, vice president of Caribbean Guard, told Us Weekly that Warner and a group had taken surf lessons earlier that day. Afterwards, Warner returned to the water with others, unaware of the intensifying sea conditions. Three people were successfully pulled out of danger, but Warner was still missing. A boogie boarder who had remained onshore went searching and, along with a doctor in the group, found Warner submerged. CPR was administered on the beach, but it was tragically unsuccessful. The official cause of death was ruled as asphyxia, a condition caused by the body not receiving enough oxygen. Dangerous currents, no lifeguards were the reason behind Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death? Roger Sanz, president of the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce of the Southern Caribbean, confirmed the beach Warner was at is notorious for its dangerous waves and strong currents. While some hotels warn guests, many fail to provide adequate safety details. Sanz stressed that this knowledge gap can be fatal. Geist admitted that the Caribbean Guard team was not stationed at Playa Grande that day. The patrol had shifted to another beach due to a string of recent incidents. He shared the guilt felt by the team, stating that had they been there, Warner's death might have been prevented. A preventable tragedy sparks renewed pleas for support Geist and other local officials are now urging for more funding and resources to keep beaches properly staffed and monitored. 'It is difficult to accept. We should have been there,' Geist said, adding that Warner's death is a devastating reminder of what is at stake. Warner leaves behind his wife and daughter.


Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death revealed after autopsy report surfaces in Costa Rica, say police
Authorities have revealed the cause of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner 's death during a family trip to Costa Rica on Sunday, July 20, 2025. According to PEOPLE, Costa Rican police confirmed that his autopsy was completed on Tuesday, July 22. The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) confirmed to the American news outlet that the actor's autopsy showed that he died from accidental asphyxiation by submersion. The development surfaced a day after a source told PEOPLE that the actor's body was surfing in the water during a family trip in Costa Rica at the time of his death. 'The body will be removed from the Judicial Morgue by a funeral service company hired and authorized by Mr. Warner's family,' the OIJ said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare Finance Data Science Data Science Design Thinking Degree Project Management others MBA Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Product Management Management MCA Technology Operations Management Digital Marketing Cybersecurity Healthcare Public Policy CXO Others Leadership PGDM Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details Warner was identified by Costa Rican National Police, who formally identified the actor on Sunday, July 20. Before the autopsy report , they revealed the following day that Warner's cause of death was ruled as the result of drowning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo "The victim appears to have entered the sea and was swept away by a current. The man was rescued by bystanders and taken to shore, where he received treatment from the Costa Rican Red Cross. However, he was declared lifeless at the scene," OIJ said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Life and career Live Events Warner was most recognized for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1985 to 1992. For his performance, he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. After The Cosby Show, Warner starred in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie alongside Eddie Griffin, which aired from 1996 to 2000. His career spanned decades and included roles in Reed Between the Lines (BET), Sons of Anarchy (FX), and Jeremiah (Showtime). He also made guest appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Community and voiced a character in The Magic School Bus. Outside of acting, Warner was a talented director, helming music videos for New Edition and Special Ed, as well as episodes of The Cosby Show, Kenan & Kel, and the educational special Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You, featuring Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall. Born in New Jersey, Warner's early passion for performance led him to a performing arts school in New York City, setting the stage for a career that left a lasting imprint on American television.