'The Cosby Show' actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death released by police
The actor, who is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable in the hit TV sitcom "The Cosby Show," died on Sunday off the coast of Costa Rica after a drowning, Costa Rican National Police told ABC News. He was 54.
Warner was swimming with his 8-year-old daughter on Sunday when surfers spotted them struggling and dove in to help, police confirmed to ABC News.
A surfer used his board to bring Warner's daughter to safety and a volunteer lifeguard pulled Warner and another surfer to shore, where warner was given 45 minutes of CPR, according to police.
Police told ABC News on Tuesday that an autopsy on Warner has been completed. The Forensic Pathology Department said that the autopsy confirmed that Warner's death, which was described as asphyxiation by submersion, was accidental.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, former 'Cosby Show' star, dead at 54
Both surfers survived, police said.
Warner's body arrived in San Joaquin de Flores on Monday at 4:30 p.m. local time. An autopsy was performed and completed on Tuesday.
Police told ABC News that Warner died near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica, after getting caught by a rip current Sunday afternoon, police said. Bystanders rescued him and took him to shore, where he received treatment before being declared dead by the Costa Rican Red Cross, police said.
Warner was formally identified by Costa Rica's national police, which described him as a tourist.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner wanted to be remembered for his 'post-Cosby life'
Along with "The Cosby Show," Warner was known for his many roles across television. He starred in "Malcolm & Eddie," "Reed Between the Lines," "Suits," "The Resident" and more.
Following the news of his death, many across Hollywood paid tribute to Warner, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Angela Bassett, Niecy Nash and Danny Tamberelli.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
14-year-old suburban Chicago boy drowns at summer camp in Wisconsin
It has already been a deadly summer in Lake Michigan, but a tragic situation in Wisconsin recently proves even smaller bodies of water can be dangerous. A teen from the southwest Chicago suburb of Romeoville drowned while at summer camp. Langston Britton, 14, was grounded in his faith. He was so grounded that he shared his insights to the world on TikTok and YouTube. "He is a leader," said Pastor John Ciesniewski at Community Christian Church in Plainfield. "He's got a smile, and a charisma that cause people to want to follow him, be like him, be around him." Pastor Ciesniewski had known Langston since the teen was born. Last week, Ciensiewski went to a Wisconsin summer camp with 400 other students, and went swimming one day. "It's a parent's worst nightmare for sure, and just, you never think it's going to be your kid," the pastor said. In a statement the camp said the boy's friends alerted lifeguards, who responded quickly. They said the lifeguards recovered Langston and gave him CPR until emergency crews arrived. But Langston died. Langston's family told Ciesniewski he was a strong swimmer. "So clearly, something happened," Ciesniewski said. Dave Benjamin with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project said there are many things that could have happened. "There could be drop-offs, there could be debris, something that could kind of spook you," Benjamin said. Banjamin said even in smaller lakes, anything could cause someone to panic and inhale water. Langston's death comes just after the drowning of a 14-year-old boy in Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion. "For anyone who says they know they can swim, go to your local pool that has lap lanes and see," said Benjamin. "Can you swim the length of the pool? Can you swim two lengths?" As for Langston's parents, Ciesniewski said like their son, they are leaning on their faith. "The first people they prayed for were the first responders, for the lifeguards who pulled him out of the water," said Ciensiewski. "May they have no shame or guilt. This is not their fault." The pastor said right now, they are thankful they had Langston for 14 years. The church sent all the students and adult leaders home after Langston's death, and canceled the middle school camp for the next week.


CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
2-year-old drowns in pool at Stowe Township home
A 2-year-old died after drowning in a pool at a home in Stowe Township, authorities said on Monday night. The Allegheny County Police Department said in a news release that officers were called around 7 p.m. to a home on 12th Street for a reported drowning. When they arrived, first responders found people performing CPR on the child. The 2-year-old was then taken to a local hospital, where they died. Their identity was not released on Monday night. Police said preliminary information shows the child drowned in a neighbor's pool. Law enforcement did not say how the child gained access to the pool. No other information was released on Monday night. Anyone with information can call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Deputies: 1 dead after Zeeland Township crash
ZEELAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A person died during a crash in Zeeland Township on Friday, deputies say. It happened around 7:30 p.m., on 88th Avenue near Ransom Street. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says that they were dispatched to a crash involving two vehicles where one person was thrown from a car. The sheriff's office says that the person who was thrown died from their injuries. Passengers in the other car were taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries, deputies say. The intersection was closed on Friday night. It has since reopened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword