More details have emerged in the tragic drowning death of The Cosby Show actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, revealing there was no lifeguard on duty at the time of his accident.
Costa Rica's volunteer lifeguard group, Caribbean Guard, posted a message to Facebook claiming the actor was swept away by a strong rip current and pulled under the water. While the group says there were other beachgoers on scene who attempted to save Warner, an official lifeguard was not present.
The post goes on to say bystanders performed CPR, but their efforts were not enough.
The Caribbean Guard notes the beach where Warner drowned, Playa Grande, is a difficult one for swimmers ... with signs posted warning people of the drowning risks. The Cosby Show actor drown Sunday, July 20 while on vacation.
The Guard says that while they've patrolled the beach in the past, they were not there on Sunday as they recently had to move resources to another beach that needed attention.
The post ends with a plea from the Caribbean Guard, "We do everything within our power. We've saved numerous lives in recent years, and if Caribbean Guard didn't exist, drownings would count by the dozens. We do our part to minimize risks but if we don’t have government help, clear public policies and strong support from local entrepreneurs, this will keep happening."
The news of Warner's death spread quickly, with tributes pouring in from across Hollywood from the likes of Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx and Tracee Ellis Ross.
A spokesperson for Bill Cosby told Complex, "He's devastated and it's a sad day."
Malcolm-Jamal Warner became a household name back in the '80s when he played Theodore Huxtable, the only son of Cosby's Heathcliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role.