Malcolm Jamal Warner died from accidental drowning on July 20, 2025, while on vacation in Costa Rica. He was swimming in the sea near the beach when a strong rip current swept him out. Although he was pulled out by bystanders and received emergency care from the Red Cross, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The official cause of death was confirmed as asphyxiation by submersion, meaning he died from drowning. Warner's daughter was with him at the seashore but was not in the water when the incident occurred.