Cause of death of Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela revealed

Just last month, 63-year-old Fernando Valenzuela, the popular Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who sparked Fernandomania, died of a mysterious illness.

A newly released copy of his death certificate clears up much of the mystery: According to the document, Valenzuela's underlying cause of death may have been related to liver disease and liver failure.

The certificate, first reported by TMZ, listed septic shock, decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis as underlying causes. The certificate also indicates that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease may also have contributed to his death. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Creutzfeldt-Jakob causes changes in brain tissue and affects muscle coordination and memory.

The latest details come three weeks after Valenzuela's death and days after a public funeral mass was held for him at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

Since his death on October 22, Dodgers fans have been celebrating the life of the legendary pitcher who meant so much to Angelenos, particularly in the Latino community.

After his death was announced, an informal memorial was erected in front of Dodger Stadium. Dodgers fans placed blue and white floral arrangements and lined up his number 34 jersey outside the stadium. The Dodgers, who retired his number last year, honored his memory before Game 1 of the World Series three days after his death.

A mural honoring Valenzuela was recently unveiled in Boyle Heights. Robert Vargas' giant mural features three views of the pitcher, including one of his unique high kick and sky stares during his windup.