The Costa Rican Red Cross also treated a second person at the scene where Malcolm-Jamal Warner died on July 20
The male patient was taken to a local hospital in critical condition
Warner, 54, was declared dead at the scene
Costa Rican first responders also treated a second person at the scene where Malcolm-Jamal Warner was declared dead on Sunday, July 20, the Costa Rican Red Cross tells PEOPLE.
The Costa Rican Red Cross received a report of a “water-related” incident at the Playa Grande resort in Cahuita, Limón at around 2:10 p.m. on Sunday, the organization said in a statement. Three ambulances were sent to the scene, where they “attended” to two adult male patients.
One was taken to a local Limón clinic in critical condition. First responders performed CPR on the second individual, Warner, who was declared dead at the scene, the Costa Rican Red Cross said.
“The scene was subsequently handed over to the police authorities for the appropriate legal procedures,” the Costa Rican Red Cross’ statement read.
When asked for further information, the Costa Rican Red Cross said the report they have is that “two people were dragged by a water current at the beach,” and both patients were out of the water when their paramedics arrived.
Earlier on Monday, July 21, the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) confirmed in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that Warner “appears to have entered the sea and was apparently swept away by a current.” Bystanders “rescued” Warner and took him to shore, where he was treated by the Costa Rican Red Cross. “However, he was declared lifeless at the scene,” the OIJ statement read.
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Warner was on a family trip in Costa Rica, a source previously told PEOPLE. The actor, best known for his roles in The Cosby Show, Malcolm & Eddy and The Resident, was 54.
Authorities confirmed Warner “apparently died as a result of asphyxiation by submersion.”
Warner is survived by his wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private. His most recent projects included his podcast, Not All Hood, and a part on 9-1-1. In 2015, he won a Grammy for contributing to Stevie Wonder’s “Jesus Children of America,” and earned a nomination in 2022 for his spoken word poetry album Hiding in Plain View.
