© Robert Hanashiro, Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK
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(New York, NY) — Investigators in Costa Rica are calling the drowning death of 54-year-old actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner an accident. Officials say he died by asphyxiation by submersion while on vacation with his wife and eight-year-old daughter. Reports now say he was swimming with his daughter when he drowned in the ocean due to a strong rip current.
The swimming area is known for dangerous conditions and there are signs on the beach warning swimmers not to go in beyond their knees. The signs also warn of strong rip currents and high drowning risks. Mike Geist, who runs the volunteer lifeguard group that watches the beach, says his friend, a trained lifeguard, went out on his surfboard and found Warner unresponsive and immediately gave him emergency respirations in the water. When Warner didn’t respond, he took him back to the beach and started CPR. The Red Cross on scene attempted to resuscitate Warner as well. Meantime, another surfer was able to pull his daughter to safety using his board.
Warner’s passing is being met with many tributes including Raven Symone, who acted with Warner on The Cosby Show. Warner played the loveable Theodore Huxtable. She said he gave “the best advice, the best hugs and his smile will also be a huge bright white smile.” In addition, Jeffrey Owens, who shared the screen with Warner as brother-in-law Elvin wrote, “Malcolm was a lovely man. A sweet and sensitive soul. My heart goes out to his family.”
In his last video on social media, Jamal-Warner talked about his happy life.
In a 2013 interview Warner said his proudest achievement was building a life beyond The Cosby Show. Warner began his acting career at age 14 and attended the Children’s Professional School in New York City.
