Authorities in Costa Rica have clarified that actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s young daughter was not in the water at the time of the tragic drowning that claimed his life earlier this week. The update came Thursday in a statement issued by Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), aiming to dispel rumors and provide clearer details surrounding the incident.
“Mr. Warner was playing with his daughter at the seashore at one point. He then left her out of the water, and he and a friend of his entered the sea,” read the statement, as translated from Spanish and reported by People magazine. “It was at that moment that they were swept away by the current, and the friend managed to get out,” officials continued.
“However, Mr. Warner was unable to get out and was pulled out by several people on the beach. He received care from Red Cross officials, but was pronounced dead at the scene.” The 54-year-old actor’s official cause of death was confirmed as “asphyxiation by submersion,” according to the OIJ. Warner’s body was identified by Costa Rica’s National Police and is being prepared for repatriation to the United States through a funeral service hired by his family.
Warner, best known for his iconic role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, was on a family vacation when the incident occurred Monday. He leaves behind his wife and their eight-year-old daughter. The news of his death sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, where Warner had been widely respected not only for his early television success but also for his work as a director, poet, and musician in the decades that followed.
The investigation into the drowning remains ongoing, but authorities emphasized that there was no indication of foul play. They reiterated that Warner’s daughter had been safely on the shore and was not involved in the water activities that led to the tragedy. Warner’s representatives have not yet released a public statement beyond confirming the actor’s death, but tributes have begun pouring in from fellow actors and fans worldwide.
As the family navigates the aftermath of this sudden and heartbreaking loss, support has flooded in across social media, celebrating Warner’s legacy both on-screen and off. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days, as the family prepares to bring Warner home.