Malcolm-Jamal Warner Case Update From the Caribbean Lifeguard Association

The tragic passing of beloved actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for originating the role of Theodore “Theo” Huxley on NBC’s “The Cosby Show,” was officially announced on Monday, July 21. Just 14 years old when he joined the cast of the sitcom in 1984, Warner was 54 at the time of his passing, which resulted after the actor drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on Sunday. 

Costa Rican National Police broke the news, reporting Warner’s official cause of death was asphyxiation. Now, the Caribbean Guard lifeguards stationed at Playa Grande, the beach where Warner passed, have released a secondary statement revealing further details on the star’s final moments. 

According to the Caribbean Guards, they were “not present” at the time of Warner’s drowning, citing a lack of “resources” within their organization. 

‘It All Happened Very Quickly,’ Says Caribbean Guard

“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,” wrote the lifeguard association in a July 21 statement on Facebook. “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.”

Well-known as a surfer’s paradise, the Guard similarly called Playa Grande one of Costa Rica’s “most challenging beaches,” adding that there are signs posted in both English and Spanish “warning of the danger of death due to drowning.” 

Though the Guard has patrolled the location periodically over the last few years, they were reportedly “not present” at the time of Warner’s drowning as they were busy handling another “aquatic incident” at a different Costa Rican beach. 

Caribbean Guard Calls for More Resources After Warner’s Passing

“Due to recent aquatic incidents in Playa Negra, we had redirected resources there and to Chiquita, another iconic beach known for its strong currents,” the Guard added before appealing to Costa Rican president, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, to divert more resources to the life-saving organization. 

“From Caribbean Guard, a volunteer lifeguard association, we make an urgent appeal to the President of the Nation, the national government, the Municipality of Talamanca, and the entire Caribbean community to continue joining forces to minimize this problem, which, sadly, is on the rise ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY,” read the statement. “We do everything within out reach. We have saved numerous lives in recent years, and if Caribbean Guard didn’t exist, the number of drowning would be counted in dozens. We give everything we have to minimize the risks, but without help from the government, clear public policies, and strong support from local business owners, this will continue to happen.”

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Since Warner’s passing was announced, “Us Weekly” has since confirmed that the Costa Rican Red Cross was alerted to the “water-related incident,” which occurred at Playa Grande, Cahuita, Limon, at 2:10pm on Sunday, July 20. Three ambulances were reportedly dispatched to the location afterwards, though paramedics were unable to resuscitate the “Malcolm & Eddie” star. 

Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, though the star kept their identities a secret from the public to maintain a private personal life. Since his passing, Warner’s former co-stars like Geoffrey Ownes (“The Cosby Show”), Traci Ellis Ross (“Reed Between the Lines”) and Angela Bassett (“9-1-1”) have taken to social media to express their grief and to honor the legacy of the late sit-com star. 

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