Malcolm-Jamal Warner's cause of death revealed after autopsy report surfaces in Costa Rica, say police

Authorities have revealed the cause of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s death during a family trip to Costa Rica on Sunday, July 20, 2025. According to PEOPLE, Costa Rican police confirmed that his autopsy was completed on Tuesday, July 22. The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) confirmed to the American news outlet that the actor's autopsy showed that he died from accidental asphyxiation by submersion.

The development surfaced a day after a source told PEOPLE that the actor’s body was surfing in the water during a family trip in Costa Rica at the time of his death. “The body will be removed from the Judicial Morgue by a funeral service company hired and authorized by Mr. Warner's family,” the OIJ said.

Warner was identified by Costa Rican National Police, who formally identified the actor on Sunday, July 20. Before the autopsy report, they revealed the following day that Warner's cause of death was ruled as the result of drowning.


"The victim appears to have entered the sea and was swept away by a current. The man was rescued by bystanders and taken to shore, where he received treatment from the Costa Rican Red Cross. However, he was declared lifeless at the scene," OIJ said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Life and career

Warner was most recognized for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1985 to 1992. For his performance, he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. After The Cosby Show, Warner starred in the UPN sitcom Malcolm & Eddie alongside Eddie Griffin, which aired from 1996 to 2000.

His career spanned decades and included roles in Reed Between the Lines (BET), Sons of Anarchy (FX), and Jeremiah (Showtime). He also made guest appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Community and voiced a character in The Magic School Bus.

Outside of acting, Warner was a talented director, helming music videos for New Edition and Special Ed, as well as episodes of The Cosby Show, Kenan & Kel, and the educational special Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You, featuring Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall.

Born in New Jersey, Warner’s early passion for performance led him to a performing arts school in New York City, setting the stage for a career that left a lasting imprint on American television.