Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Final Moments: Daughter Was Safe On Shore, Officials Confirm
As the entertainment world continues to mourn the sudden loss of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Costa Rican officials are offering critical clarity about what happened in the moments before his tragic drowning.
Warner, best known as Theo Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” passed away at the age of 54 on Monday, July 21, while vacationing in Costa Rica.
Initial reports left room for speculation, particularly about whether his young daughter was in the water during the incident.
Now, new details confirm that she was not.
Previous Report: Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Daughter Was With Him During Tragic Drowning In Costa Rica
His Daughter Was Not In Danger
In a translated statement provided to PEOPLE by Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), officials clarified that Warner was playing with his daughter near the seashore earlier in the day—but she was not in the water when the fatal incident occurred.
“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,” the statement reads.
That’s when tragedy struck.
Swept Away By The Current
Malcolm-Jamal and his friend were suddenly caught in a powerful current.
His friend was able to escape and make it back to shore.
Sadly, Warner was not.
Several people on the beach pulled him from the water and attempted to save him as Red Cross responders arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials confirmed his cause of death was “asphyxiation by submersion.”
A Brave Rescue Attempt
Dr. Mauricio Solano Corella, Medical Director for the Talamanca Health Area, reported that a 29-year-old Nicaraguan man jumped in to try to rescue Malcom-Jamal Warner.
Thankfully, the man survived and was treated at the scene before being discharged in stable condition.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner: A Legacy Of Love, Art, And Integrity
Warner’s body was formally identified by the Costa Rican National Police.
He will be returned to his family through a funeral service arranged by his loved ones.
He leaves behind a remarkable legacy, not just as a beloved actor, but as a musician, podcaster, and devoted family man.
His roles in “The Resident,” “Community,” “Malcolm & Eddie,” “Major Crimes,” and “9-1-1” left an indelible mark on Hollywood.
He also co-hosted the podcast “Not All Hood” with friend Candace Kelley, who shared a touching tribute following his passing:
“His other biggest mission, besides his family, was just being a good person,” she told PEOPLE.
“He just wants to be remembered as a good person—and by all accounts, he’s got that down.”
With great respect and love – this will be the last article on IceCreamConvos.com regarding Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s drowning due to how easily misinformation has been relayed from Costa Rica back to the U.S.
My sincerest condolences and prayers to his loved ones.
Never miss a scoop — sign up for IceCreamConvos.com’s free daily newsletter and stay in the know with the hottest celebrity news, jaw-dropping headlines, and stories everyone will be talking about.
Lock In With Ice Cream Convos:
