Regina King Speaks Out After Ex Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Death

Regina King honored her ex Malcolm-Jamal Warner in a heartfelt statement days after his death.

“Some people leave a lasting imprint, not just for who they were but for the energy they carried,” King, 54, wrote in a since-expired Instagram Story, sharing a photo of Warner on a motorcycle. “I’m sending prayers filled with love and understanding to your family and loved ones. Rest easy Malcolm-Jamal Warner.”

In a separate upload, the actress added, “Ride In Power.”

King and Warner dated from 2011 to 2013, but the pair largely kept their relationship private.

Everything We Know About Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Death So Far

“All relationships go through all kinds of peaks and valleys. And I think it’s unfortunate — when you live in the public eye, of course, your peaks and valleys are going to be heavily scrutinized,” Warner told BET in 2011, explaining the couple’s “philosophy” about dating in the spotlight. “So we just kind of prefer to protect what we have going on because relationships are work, anyway. We don’t need the rest of the world to know our Kool-Aid.”

At the time, the Cosby Show alum said the duo wanted to “protect what we have because it’s very special and very precious.”

Following his split from King, Warner went on to get married and become a father, but the names of his wife and daughter have remained private. King, for her part, shared a son with her ex-husband, Ian Alexander Sr. (Ian Jr. died by suicide at age 26 in 2022.)

Malcolm Jamal Warner and Regina King. Earl Gibson III/FilmMagic

News broke on Monday, July 21, that Warner died in an accidental drowning one day prior in Costa Rica. He was 54 years old. Costa Rican National Police later confirmed that the incident took place between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

According to Roger Sanz, the president of the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce of the Southern Caribbean, the beach where Warner drowned is “well known among surfers” and “has strong currents.” Sanz noted in a statement to Us Weekly that a watch tower was installed nearby thanks to volunteers and an organization called Caribbean Guard.

A statement from the Caribbean Guard, however, noted that lifeguards were “not present” on the beach when the incident occurred. “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,” read a Facebook post on Monday. “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.”

Lifeguards Recall Doctor's Attempt to Save Malcom-Jamal Warner Before Death

The organization had instead “redirected resources” to a different beach “due to recent aquatic incidents,” which have been “on the rise” throughout the country.

Mike Geist, a lifeguard instructor and vice president of Caribbean Guard, later spoke to Us about the series of events that took place before Warner’s death, revealing that Warner was on the beach for a surf lesson. Three people were seen in “distress” in the water after the lesson, including a woman and a young girl.

“Another person that was on the beach with a boogie board went out to go and look for Malcolm because they learned there was a fourth person,” Geist recalled, adding that “resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful” when Warner made it to shore.

Police told ABC News on Wednesday, July 23, that Warner was swimming with his 8-year-old daughter when they were spotted struggling in the water. Warner’s family has yet to share a statement regarding his death.