Dodger legend Fernando Valenzuela's cause of death revealed

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The cause of death for legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who died last month at the age of 63, has been released.

Valenzuela died of septic shock, which was listed as the immediate cause of death, according to his death certificate obtained by Eyewitness News.



Septic shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when organs malfunction, leading to dangerously low blood pressure. Each year, at least 350,000 people in the U.S. die of the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The document listed decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes. Also listed as a significant condition contributing to Valenzuela's death was "probable" Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rapidly progressive brain disorder.



The document also noted that Valenzuela was cremated. The late Dodger great was honored at a public funeral Mass last week at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles in downtown Los Angeles.



Tributes poured in after his passing, including a massive mural in his memory in Boyle Heights.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Note: A previous version of this story erroneously stated The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office handled the case.