A copy of Cleto Escobedo III’s death certificiate has revealed he died from a rare condition.
Cleto Escobedo III died from cardiogenic shock.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! band leader died on Tuesday (11.11.25) at the age of 59 and his death certificate has revealed the immediate cause of death was the rare condition, which happens when the heart can no longer pump enough blood for the body.
In addition, according to a copy of his death certificate obtained by TMZ, vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver were listed as underlying causes.
Sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppressed, chronic kidney disease and pneumonia, also contributed to Cleto’s death.
Meanwhile, Cleto’s lifelong friend Jimmy Kimmel has announced two fundraising initiatives in honour of his late friend.
He wrote on Instagram: “Cleto was always kind and eager to help others. As we mourn his loss, we have started two fundraisers to celebrate his life and give back.
“The first is for UCLA Medical Center where he received such incredible care. Together we can help vulnerable patients and families in need of financial assistance during hard times. @UCLAHealth
“And to honor his love of animals, the @TheAnimalFoundation in our hometown of Las Vegas.
“Links to give are in my bio. Thank you so much. (sic)”
Jimmy broke down in tears as he paid tribute to the Cleto and the Cletones leader on his show earlier this week.
He opened the show by saying: “We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one’s the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young.”
Jimmy then recalled his lifelong friendship with Cleto when they grew up in the same street in Las Vegas.
He added: “Everyone loves Cleto… everyone here at the show.
“We are devastated by this. It’s not… It’s just not fair.
“He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.
“There is no one in my life I felt more comfortable with.”
Cleto’s dad, Cleto Escobedo Sr., who plays the tenor and alto saxophone in the Cletones, performed with the band on Tuesday night’s episode, and Cleto’s mother was in the studio audience.
Jimmy also paid tribute to Cleto on Instagram, remembering his pal as “a great friend, father, son, musician and man”.
He wrote: “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
Cleto Escobedo III cause of death revealed
