Malcolm-Jamal Warner Spent His Final Moments Swimming With His Daughter Before Tragically Drowning

Heartbreaking new details are emerging surrounding the death of "Cosby Show" actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who drowned in Costa Rica in July 2025.

According to ABC News, police told the publication that Warner, who starred in "The Cosby Show" from 1984 to 1992, was swimming with his daughter, 8, in Costa Rica when he suddenly drowned.

The report further states that surfers in the area spotted Warner and his daughter in distress in the water and rushed in to offer aid. The surfers reportedly brought both Warner and his daughter to shore, where the actor, who was 54, received 45 minutes of CPR.

A spokesperson from the Forensic Pathology Department later confirmed through an autopsy that Warner's cause of death was "asphyxiation by submersion," ruling it accidental.

The new report regarding Warner's final moments with his daughter is particularly poignant because the actor, who also went on to win a Grammy for spoken word poetry, tried his hardest to keep his immediate family out of the spotlight.

During a previous appearance on the "Hot & Bothered" podcast, Warner opened up about not initially wanting to get married or have children; however, a date with his wife changed his perspective.

"At some point, I was like, if I'm going to have a kid, this is the person that I would want to have it with," Warner said. "I also realized that if something happened and we weren't together romantically, she would still be the person I would want to raise a child with, co-parent with."

Warner also discussed his desire to keep their identities private, saying, "I talk about my wife and daughter, but obviously I don't post them."

He continued, "I talk about them because they are obviously the hugest parts of my life, the best parts of my life, the best decisions I've ever made, but I also like to keep them and their identity private."

Warner's sudden passing has left fans struggling to come to terms with the news, resulting in an outpouring of tribute posts across the internet.

One commenter wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, "I cannot even believe this. I am over here SOBBING."

Someone else wrote, "I think what hurts most about Malcolm-Jamal Warner is that he was a GOOD person. A good human being. You never heard anything negative about him."

Another user shared an emotional post, calling Warner a "gentle giant."

They added, "Today, we lost a gentle giant. A man who won our hearts not by force, but by quiet grace. From the very beginning, Malcolm-Jamal Warner reminded us that being calm, classy, sophisticated, and soulful could carry you far in life."

And Warner's fans aren't the only ones finding the news difficult.

Several of Warner's co-stars, such as Raven-Symoné, who joined the cast of "The Cosby Show" in 1989, have also shared their heartfelt tributes.

In the video, Symoné, 39, can be heard sharing an emotional message about Warner over a black screen that featured the words, "I love you."

"Words cannot describe the pain and the sadness and surprise that I feel with the recent loss of MJW," Symoné said. "He was the big brother, he was a beacon, he was one of the most multifaceted, talented men. So gentle, and my heart and soul and hugs, and kisses go out to his daughter and his wife, and his mother."

"He gave the best advice, he gave the best hugs, and his smile will always be a huge, bright f-cking white smile in my head forever," Symoné continued. "I love you, and I know you're watching over all of us now. Bye, Malcolm."

Warner's "Malcolm & Eddie" co-star, Eddie Griffin, shared a similar message in his Instagram Stories, writing, "My Big little brother."

Bill Cosby also released a message about Warner's passing through his representative, comparing the loss to the death of his own son, Ennis Cosby, who was killed in California in 1997.

"This reminds me of the call I got when I was taping 'The Cosby Show' and I got a call saying that my son, Ennis, had been murdered," Cosby's rep shared. "It's just devastating."