Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s 8-Year-Old Daughter Rescued From Water at Time of His Death

‘The Cosby Show’ star accidentally drowned on July 20 while swimming off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

Actor and recording artist Malcolm-Jamal Warner poses at the BAFTA Los Angeles TV Tea in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, 2015. Danny Moloshok/Reuters

New details have emerged regarding the accidental drowning of 54-year-old actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who died on July 20 while vacationing with his family in the Playa Grande de Cocles area on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

Local authorities told ABC News that “The Cosby Show” star was swimming with his eight-year-old daughter at the time the incident occurred.

After witnessing the pair struggling in the water, surfers rushed to their aid, with one using his surfboard to keep the young girl afloat as he brought her to shore.

Mike Geist, a lifeguard instructor who works on the beach, told ABC affiliate WISN 12 that Warner was unresponsive.

“One of my friends—and a volunteer as well—was in the area and was able to go in and make the rescue,” Geist shared. “He’s a local surfer, happened to be here, and immediately went in and was able to find Mr. Warner, unfortunately below the surface near the floor of the ocean.”

Two doctors happened to be on the beach when Warner was pulled to shore, and the trio performed CPR on the actor for approximately 45 minutes.

“Unfortunately, it was not successful,” Geist said.

On Monday, Carlos Valverde Fonseca, a spokesperson for Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), told The Epoch Times that Warner appeared to have been swept away by a current shortly after he entered the ocean.

“He was declared lifeless at the scene,” Fonseca noted.

An autopsy was conducted at the Judicial Morgue in San Joaquín, a district in the Heredia province of Costa Rica, which determined Warner’s cause of death to be due to asphyxiation by submersion.

The actor, who was also known for his roles in “Malcolm & Eddie,” “Suits,” and “The Resident,” was fondly remembered online by his peers.

“We reveled in your life and are gutted by this loss,” award-winning actress Viola Davis wrote on Instagram. “Blessings and prayers to your family and loved ones... We will speak your name—always.”

Actress Raven-Symoné, who costarred alongside Warner on “The Cosby Show,” shared in an Instagram Reel: “Words cannot describe the pain and sadness and surprise that I feel with the recent loss of MJW.

“He was the big brother, he was a beacon, he was one of the most multifaceted, talented men—so gentle.”

Singer Beyoncé penned on her official website: “Rest in power Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

“Thanks for being a big part of our shared television history. You will be missed.”