Q COSTARICA — The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) – Costa Rica’s judicial agency akin to the U.S. F.B.I., confirmed that Malcolm-Jamal Warner died accidentally due to asphyxiation by submersion, according to an autopsy.
The information was confirmed today, Tuesday, July 22, after the completion of forensic examinations.
The OIJ also detailed that Warner’s body remains in the Judicial Morgue in Heredia and is awaiting pickup by a funeral service contracted and authorized by the deceased’s family.
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The news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s death broke internationally this Monday, July 21, after he drowned Sunday afternoon at Playa Grande de Cocles, in Limón.
According to information by Costa Rica’s immigration service, the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME), Warner had arrived in Costa Rica on Sunday, July 13, 2025, with his daughter and had been staying at an undisclosed hotel.
The video published by TMZ captured Warner at the Juan Santamaria International Airport – San José airport (SJO), arriving on a flight from Atlanta, one week before his tragic death by drowning.
Wagner Leiva, Director of Emergency Response at the Red Cross, detailed the work done by first responders at the scene.
“On Sunday, around 2:10 pm, a 9-1-1 call for help regarding a water accident came in. We responded with three units; upon arriving at the scene, we found two men. One of them was transported in critical condition to the Clinica de Hone Creek in Puerto Viejo; the other patient (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), unfortunately, no longer showed vital signs, despite our efforts,” explained Leiva.
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The identity and condition of the second individual is yet unknown.
U.S. media outlets such as TMZ, Page Six and The New York Post shared new details of the incident, citing Caribbean Guard, a lifeguard association in the Southern Caribbean, as a source.
On their Facebook page, Caribbean Guard posted:
“Lamentamos profundamente el fallecimiento de Malcom – Jamal Warner, en Playa Grande.
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“Fue arrastrado por una fuerte corriente de resaca y falleció por ahogamiento. Fue todo muy rápido y a pesar de haber gente en la playa que entró a rescatarlo, no llegaron a tiempo.
“Fue sacado bajo el agua ya sin signos vitales y a pesar de habérsele suministrado maniobras de RCP en la playa no hubo éxito en su reanimación.
“Playa Grande es una de nuestras playas más desafiantes. Es una playa conocida por surfistas locales y hay rótulos (en ingles y español) que advierten del peligro de muerte por ahogamientos.
“Es una playa que Caribbean Guard ha patrullado durante los últimos años. Sin embargo este domingo, no.
“Debido a los recientes incidentes acuáticos en Playa Negra hemos destinado recursos ahí y en Chiquita, otra playa emblemática, por sus corrientes.
“Desde Caribbean Guard, asociación de guardavidas voluntarios, hacemos un llamamiento al Presidente de la Nación, al gobierno nacional, a la Municipalidad de Talamanca y toda la comunidad caribeña, para seguir sumando esfuerzos para minimizar este problema que, tristemente, viene en alza en TODO EL PAIS.
“Hacemos todo lo que esta a nuestro alcance. Hemos salvado numerosas vidas en los últimos años, y si Caribbean Guard no existiera, los ahogamientos se contarían por docenas. Ponemos todo de nuestro lado para minimizar los riesgos pero si no tenemos ayuda del gobierno, políticas publicas claras y un fuerte respaldo de los empresarios de la zona, esto va a seguir sucediendo.”
Translation:
“We deeply regret the death of Malcolm Jamal Warner at Playa Grande.
“He was swept away by a strong rip current and died from drowning. Everything happened very quickly, and despite people on the beach who came to rescue him, they didn’t arrive in time.
“He was pulled underwater with no vital signs, and despite CPR being administered on the beach, he was unsuccessful.
“Playa Grande is one of our most challenging beaches. It’s a beach known for local surfers, and there are signs (in English and Spanish) warning of the danger of death from drowning.
“It’s a beach that the Caribbean Guard has patrolled for the past few years. However, not this Sunday.
“Due to the recent aquatic incidents at Playa Negra, we have allocated resources there and at Chiquita, another emblematic beach, due to its currents.
“From Caribbean Guard, an association of volunteer lifeguards, we call on 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 throughout the country.
“We are doing everything in our power. We have saved numerous lives in recent years, and if Caribbean Guard didn’t exist, drownings would number in the dozens. We are doing everything we can to minimize the risks, but without government assistance, clear public policies, and strong support from local businesses, this will continue to happen.”
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