THE Cosby Show actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner died from asphyxiation by submersion, an autopsy has determined.
Warner, 54, was dragged into the ocean by a strong rip current after going for a swim in waters off the coast of Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica.
Warner, one of the stars of the 1980s sitcom classic, was in Costa Rica, about three hours southeast of the capital of San Jose, enjoying a family holiday when the unimaginable tragedy occurred.
The Costa Rican Caribbean lifeguards said fellow beachgoers pulled the actor's body from the waters back onto shore on Sunday afternoon, but Warner had no vital signs.
"He was pulled underwater with no vital signs, and despite CPR on the beach, he was unsuccessful," Costa Rican officials said in a statement on Facebook.
An autopsy confirmed Warner died from asphyxiation by submersion, the Costa Rican police forensic pathology department said.
Warner's death was ruled accidental.
UNFORGIVING WATERS
The strong currents at the challenging beach also left another man with critical injuries after he was also pulled out to sea, according to the agency.
"Playa Grande is one of our most challenging beaches. It's a beach known for local surfers, and there are signs (in English and Spanish) warning of the danger of drowning," the Caribbean Guard added.
Travelers who frequent Costa Rica for vacation told The U.S. Sun about how swimming conditions can be life-threatening.
Christopher Smith-Savage, who visits family in Limon three times a year, said the waters in Cocles were "especially bad" because of heavy rains over the weekend.
"It has happened before, the water where he was swimming is specifically where they teach people to surf," he told The U.S. Sun.
"My lady and I almost drowned in the same water back in 2014.
"I have not been back in that water since. [I'm] very disappointed, more than saddened, as I do believe it was avoidable."
Smith-Savage said that "no one" goes to Cocles just to swim, and said it's "common knowledge" that it can get dangerous.
"It is sad for the community because this isn't good press for an area that its entire economy is based on tourism," he said.
"I am actually currently booked to stay in cocles in August and I can imagine if I am reluctant others may be even more because I know that place."
Another local source said, "There are red flags in some parts of the beach and I've seen lifeguards but not all the time.
"On all the beaches near you can find currents that try to take you inward, so you have to pay attention."
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's life
Warner began his stardom on "The Cosby Show" as character Theodore Huxtable, earning him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
He then went on to play Malcolm McGee in the sitcom Malcolm & Eddie, and starred in shows like Reed Between the Lines, Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story: Freak Show, and Suits.
Warner was also a voice actor in The Magic School Bus, an iconic children's television show that aired in the 90s.
Alongside acting, Warner was a poet and a bass player, earning his first Grammy in 2015 for "Best Traditional R&B Performance as a Featured Performer."
Most recently, he hosted the podcast Not All Hood, which "takes a provocative look at the vastly different lived experiences and identities of Blacks in America," according to its website.
ICON GONE
Warner was best remembered for his work on The Cosby Show as Theodore Huxtable, the affable son of Bill Cosby's Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable.
The Cosby Show became a smash hit 30 years ago, with Warner playing the only son of Cosby's character in the sitcom from 1984 to 1992.
Warner reflected on his time on the iconic sitcom, telling People in 2023, "know I can speak for all the cast when I say The Cosby Show is something that we are all still very proud of.
"We share a unique experience that keeps us lovingly bonded no matter how much time goes between seeing or hearing from each other."
Cosby, the disgraced actor who was jailed in 2018 then freed after his sexual assault conviction was overturned, said the news of Warner's passing reminded him of his own son's murder.
"When Bill got the call that Warner died on vacation in Costa Rica, it reminded him of being in the studio filming 'The Cosby Show' in January 1997, when he got a call informing him that his son Ennis Cosby was shot dead in a failed robbery attempt," Cosby's representative, Andrew Wyatt, told TMZ.
Ennis was the only son of the comedian, 88, and was murdered by 18-year-old Mikhail Markhasev, who was tried and convicted of first-degree murder and attempted robbery.
Cosby's representative went on to say how Warner and Ennis used to play when they were younger and the pair were "amazing together."
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter.
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