Elizabeth Pena passed away on October 14 in Los Angeles.
The cause death has now been revealed.
Pena was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver “due to alcohol” and had acute gastrointestinal bleeding hours before her death. Her condition caused her heart to stop, which lead to her death.
According to her death certificate, Pena was suffering from the disease for months and it more recently became acute.
Pena’s manager, Gina Rugolo, originally said the 55-year-old actress had died of “natural causes” following a brief illness.
Pena is best known by American audiences for her role as Sofia Vergara’s mother in the hit television series Modern Family. She also appeared in such hits as La Bamba, Rush Hour, and Jacob’s Ladder.
You may have also heard Elizabeth Pena in such voiced roles as Pixar’s The Incredibles, and the Justice League. She also voiced characters for Seth MacFarlane’s American Dad.
Pena’s nephew Mario-Francisco Robles wrote in an Oct. 15 tribute to his aunt on Latino Review, “She was our star. She was my star. We celebrated her triumphs. We sweated through her struggles.” She continued, “Tonight, my family is heartbroken. There’s now a void that will never be filled. All we can do now is remember your sharp sense of humor, your endless hunger for life, and your never ending pursuit of happiness.”
Elizabeth Pena is survived by her husband, two children, mother and sister.
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