UPDATE: Costa Rican Police Chief Insists Malcolm-Jamal Warner Died Saving Daughter, Despite Conflicting Official Report

UPDATE: Costa Rican Police Chief Insists Malcolm-Jamal Warner Died Saving Daughter, Despite Conflicting Official Report

Update (July 29): Tourist Police Chief Elberth León is defending his account of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s drowning, telling Us Weekly, “I responded to the incident and I know what I saw.”

He claims Warner was pulled under while trying to save his daughter, who was also in the water.

“They were bathing together and were caught by a rip current. Obviously, as a father, he fought for his daughter.”

The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) disputes that, stating Warner had already left his daughter out of the water when he re-entered with a friend. The OIJ said Warner was pulled out by bystanders and declared dead at the scene.

León maintains, “The OIJ wasn’t present at the scene.” He claims emergency responders rescued the girl using a boogie board pushed to shore by a Nicaraguan swimmer.

OIJ journalist Pablo Alvarado insists their report includes police and eyewitness interviews and will soon be sent to the Prosecutor’s Office for review.

No matter what truly happened, let’s continue to keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.

Original Story (July 25): Police in Costa Rica are clearing up previous reports on the tragic and untimely passing of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

It was previously alleged that his 8-year-old daughter was in the water with him and was rescued by surfers, who also tried to save The Cosby Show star, however that doesn’t appear to be the case.

The country’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) told People on Thursday (July 24):

“Mr. Warner was playing with his daughter at the seashore at one point. He then left her out of the water, and he and a friend of his entered the sea.”

They added:

“It was at that moment that they were swept away by the current, and the friend managed to get out. However, Mr. Warner was unable to get out and was pulled out by several people on the beach. He received care from Red Cross officials, but was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Warner’s cause of death was determined to be  “asphyxiation by submersion.”

Continued prayers for the beloved actor’s loved ones during this difficult time.