Cause of Death for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III Confirmed

Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', passed away at the age of 59. According to his death certificate, the immediate cause was cardiogenic shock, with underlying factors including vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Additional contributing conditions were sepsis, graft-versus-host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia.

Escobedo died at UCLA Medical Center following complications related to a liver transplant. Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition where the heart suddenly cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs.

Jimmy Kimmel, host of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and a childhood friend of Escobedo, announced his passing earlier this week. In an emotional monologue, Kimmel described Escobedo as 'the nicest, most humble, kind, and always funny person.'

Escobedo and Kimmel's friendship began in their childhood in Las Vegas, where they grew up across the street from each other. Escobedo, a talented saxophonist, toured with artists like Earth, Wind & Fire's Phillip Bailey and Paula Abdul before joining 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' as the bandleader in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Lori, and their two children.