Police Reveal Official Reports in Beloved Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Passing

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s official cause of death has been released by police.

ABC News reports that an autopsy was completed, which confirmed Warner’s death was asphyxiation by submersion. The incident was also determined to be accidental.

TMZ first reported the news of Warner’s tragic passing. ABC News added, “The actor died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, according to police. Police said he was caught by a high current in the water and was discovered Sunday afternoon. Warner was formally identified by Costa Rica’s national police.”

Warner was best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” He also was in “Reed Between the Lines,” “Malcolm and Eddie,” “The Resident,” along with voicing “The Producer” character on “The Magic School Bus.” Moreover, he has the “NOT ALL HOOD” podcast, which “takes a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of Blacks in America.”

Statement Released By Caribbean Guard Stationed at Playa Grande

Photo by EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP via Getty Images

In a Facebook post on Monday July 21, the Caribbean Guard said that they, “deeply regret the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner in Playa Grande,” and provided some more information on how this tragedy occurred.

“We deeply regret the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner at Playa Grande. He was swept away by a strong rip current and died by drowning,” Costa Rica’s volunteer lifeguard association, Caribbean Guard,” the statement said. “It all happened very quickly, and although there were people on the beach who entered the water to rescue him, they did not arrive in time. He was pulled from underwater without vital signs, and despite CPR maneuvers being performed on the beach, resuscitation was unsuccessful.”

“Playa Grande is one of our most challenging beaches. It’s a beach known by local surfers and there are signs (in English and Spanish) that warn of the danger of death by drowning. It’s a beach that the Caribbean Guard has patrolled for the last few years. (Not) this Sunday though. Due to the recent water incidents on Playa black we have allocated resources there and on Chiquita, another emblematic beach, for its currents,” they continued. “From Caribbean Guard, association of volunteer lifeguards, we appeal to the President of the Nation, the national government, the Municipality of Talamanca and the entire Caribbean community, to continue joining efforts to minimize this problem, which is sadly rising ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.”

“We do everything within our power. We’ve saved numerous lives in recent years, and if Caribbean Guard didn’t exist, drownings would count by the dozens. We do our part to minimize risks but if we don’t have government help, clear public policies and strong support from local entrepreneurs, this will keep happening [sic],” the statement concluded.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner Was Not Alone at the Time of his Death

Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Us Weekly first reported the news that Malcolm-Jamal Warner was not alone at the time of his death at a beach in Costa Rica. A spokesperson for the Red Cross revealed to the outlet that on July 20, emergency personnel “attended to two adult male patients,” one of whom survived the incident.

“A 35-year-old man who hasn’t been identified was transported in critical condition to the local clinic and his current condition is unknown, while CPR was performed on a 54-year-old male — Warner — who was declared dead at the scene,” they wrote. “The spokesperson confirmed that both Warner and the second individual were “involved in the same incident.”