Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s mother breaks silence after “Cosby Show ”star’s tragic death: ‘This was his time’

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s mother has broken her silence on the Cosby Show star’s tragic death.

Pamela Warner shared an emotional tribute to her son on social media on Friday, nearly three weeks after Malcolm-Jamal died at the age of 54 in an accidental drowning while on a family vacation in Costa Rica.

“Needless to say our hearts are heavy with the loss of Malcolm,” Pamela’s statement on Instagram begins. “He was a kind, loving man with a huge heart for humanity… Malcolm was an exceptional husband, father, and son — a man deeply in love with life, his wife, and his daughter. He was not only my son, but also my teacher, coach, confidant, business partner, and best friend. He was the son that his father was immensely proud of and loved fiercely and unconditionally.”

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Pamela Warner and Malcolm-Jamal Warner attend the Grammy Awards in February 2015
Pamela, who was also Malcolm-Jamal’s longtime manager, went on to describe how her son “was in love with the magic of being an actor, always studying and honing his craft,” and added how “he began his musical journey a little later in life, at 26.”

“A poet as well as a musician, he released four albums — two Grammy-nominations and one Grammy award,” Pamela wrote. “At eight years old, after his first stage performance, he declared that being on stage was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. It became a self-fulfilling prophesy. Malcolm left an indelible mark on the world and on countless hearts. All who met him, however briefly, were better for the encounter.”

Pamela said that she could “fill volumes” with how much she could say about her late son.

“I am so very blessed that he chose me to be his mother, to come into the world through the waters of my womb,” she continued. “It is an honor and blessing that will be with me all the days of my life.”

Pamela then shared a message for all “who are at a loss, pained by the suddenness of his departure.”

“Be comforted that he was at peace and more importantly, he did not suffer,” she said. “Malcolm was birthed through water and he transitioned through water. He departed as he arrived, through water. This was his time. His mission on earth had been completed.”

She ended her emotional tribute by advising everyone to “hold close to whatever part of Malcolm’s life that touched yours. In keeping it near, you keep his spirit alive — nourishing you with the peace, love, joy, and light that embodied Malcolm-Jamal Warner.”

Malcolm-Jamal’s death was confirmed as “asphyxia by submersion” by local authorities. The Costa Rican Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) shared in a statement obtained by EW that Bribrí OIJ agents “recovered the body of a man who apparently died as a result of asphyxiation by submersion” who was later identified as Warner.

The Cosby Show star “entered the sea and was apparently swept away by a current” between 2-2:30 p.m. in the Playa Grande de Cocles area of Puerto Viejo de Limón, according to “preliminary information” reviewed by the OIJ. Warner was then “rescued by bystanders and taken to shore, where he received treatment from the Costa Rican Red Cross. However, he was declared lifeless at the scene.”

In addition to his mother, Malcolm-Jamal is survived by his wife and daughter.