Costa Rica's Volunteer Lifeguards Explain Why No One Was Posted at Beach Where Malcolm-Jamal Warner Drowned

There were no lifeguards on patrol at the beach where Malcolm-Jamal Warner passed away in Costa Rica.

If you did not see the tragic news, The Cosby Show actor died in a drowning accident on Sunday (July 20) while on vacation with his family. He was swimming at a beach in the Cocles de Limón area.

Now, the Caribbean Guard, the volunteer lifeguard association in the country, has released a statement and made a plea to the government. They said due to a lack of “resources,” they had redirected efforts to a different area and were “not present” when Malcolm-Jamal had drowned.

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“We deeply regret the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner at Playa Grande. He was swept away by a strong rip current and died by drowning. It all happened very quickly, and although there were people on the beach who entered the water to rescue him, they did not arrive in time. He was pulled from underwater without vital signs, and despite CPR maneuvers being performed on the beach, resuscitation was unsuccessful,” the organization wrote in a statement, posted to Facebook.

They continued, “Due to recent aquatic incidents in Playa Negra, we had redirected resources there and to Chiquita, another iconic beach known for its strong currents. From Caribbean Guard, a volunteer lifeguard association, we make an urgent appeal to the President of the Nation, the national government, the Municipality of Talamanca, and the entire Caribbean community to continue joining forces to minimize this problem, which, sadly, is on the rise ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.”

The statement added, “We do everything within our reach. We have saved numerous lives in recent years, and if Caribbean Guard didn’t exist, the number of drownings would be counted in dozens. We give everything we have to minimize the risks, but without help from the government, clear public policies, and strong support from local business owners, this will continue to happen.”

Our continued thoughts are with Malcolm-Jamal‘s friends, family, and loved ones. RIP.