Short answer: Eddie Guerrero died on November 13, 2005, in Minneapolis, at age 38. An autopsy found acute heart failure.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's report listed natural causes tied to arteriosclerotic heart disease. In plain terms, narrowed arteries contributed to his heart failure.
That is the core of the Eddie Guerrero death story. This guide adds the timeline, the autopsy details, and what nobody can say for certain. Each fact links to its source at the end.
Eddie Guerrero Quick Facts
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Full name | Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes |
| Born | October 9, 1967, El Paso, Texas |
| Died | November 13, 2005, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Age at death | 38 |
| Cause of death | Acute heart failure |
| Found by | His nephew, Chavo Guerrero |
| Last match | November 11, 2005, on SmackDown |
| WWE Hall of Fame | Class of 2006 |
Who Was Eddie Guerrero?
Eddie came from a wrestling family. His father, Gory Guerrero, was a first-generation wrestler, and Eddie debuted in 1986.
His "Latino Heat" character cheated with a grin. The catchphrase "I Lie! I Cheat! I Steal!" became his trademark. He was a rule-breaker you still cheered for, which is a rare trick.
- He won the WWE Championship on February 15, 2004, by beating Brock Lesnar at No Way Out.
- That was his only world title in WWE.
- He also held titles in ECW, WCW and the WWF.
- He teamed with his nephew Chavo as Los Guerreros.
- He became the top star on the SmackDown brand in 2004.
How Did Eddie Guerrero Die?
It started as a normal week on the road. Eddie wrestled his last match on the November 11, 2005 SmackDown, beating Mr. Kennedy by disqualification.
- November 11: Eddie wins his final televised match.
- November 13: Chavo finds him unconscious at the Marriott Hotel City Center in Minneapolis.
- Chavo said Eddie had passed out in the bathroom, toothbrush in hand, with the sink running.
- Chavo said Eddie was still alive when he found him.
- Paramedics arrived, and Eddie was pronounced dead at age 38.
Source for the steps above: Wikipedia.
Local police saw no foul play and no sign of suicide, per a Star Tribune report. That addressed the darkest rumors early.
Eddie Guerrero's Cause of Death: What the Autopsy Found
Two findings came out, and they agree. The first was a quick summary from his widow. The second was the official report.
| Stage | Date | What it said | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | November 15, 2005 | Heart failure. Signs of heart disease. Worn, narrow blood vessels, as Vickie Guerrero relayed from the examiner. | Slam Wrestling |
| Official | December 8, 2005 | Natural causes related to arteriosclerotic heart disease. Narrow vessels that supply the heart contributed to his death. | Wrestling-Online |
Think of arteries as pipes. Plaque is the clog nobody notices until the sink backs up.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says atherosclerosis happens when plaque builds up inside your arteries. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows them, which limits blood flow.
Here is what that meant for Eddie:
- His heart arteries were narrow and worn.
- Vickie said the examiner described an enlarged heart working extra hard (Wrestling Inc).
- Vickie said the examiner found no trauma.
- The result was acute heart failure, with little warning.
Were There Warning Signs?
Looking back, there may have been a hint. Vickie said Eddie felt unwell for about a week. He and his family assumed he was simply worn out from travel.
She also said the examiner called that normal, because his heart was working so hard. The NHLBI notes that some people with atherosclerosis have no symptoms at all. That is why a checkup matters more than a hunch.
Addiction History and His Heart: What We Can and Cannot Say
Eddie's addiction story was public, and WWE even wove parts of it into storylines. The facts below come from Wikipedia.
- A car accident on New Year's Day 1999 led to a painkiller addiction.
- He entered rehab in May 2001.
- WWF released him in 2001 over addiction issues.
- He worked toward sobriety afterward and returned to WWE in 2002.
Vickie told WWE.com the examiner linked the worn vessels to past drinking, drug abuse and a heavy schedule. Chavo, however, said Eddie had just marked four years of sobriety.
So the honest answer is mixed. The official cause is heart disease, and the summaries we found assign no single blame. Treat any neat explanation with suspicion.
How the Wrestling World Responded
- WWE aired tribute episodes of Raw on November 14 and SmackDown on November 18, 2005.
- Storylines paused, and WWE did not require employees to perform.
- Raw closed with a ten-bell salute.
- TNA dedicated its Genesis event to Eddie.
- Ring of Honor renamed its next show Night of Tribute.
- Rey Mysterio, Chavo and Christian Cage used his Frog Splash in matches.
Source: Wikipedia.
Eddie Guerrero's Legacy
WWE inducted Eddie into its Hall of Fame five months after his death, in the class of 2006. Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio and Chavo inducted him.
His city still remembers him. El Paso's City Council declared an Eddie Guerrero Day on November 18, 2025. A mural followed in El Segundo Barrio in April 2026 (Wikipedia). Not bad for a man who claimed to steal for a living.
What Eddie Guerrero's Death Teaches Us About Heart Health
Eddie's case shows how quietly artery disease can work. The NHLBI says the main treatment for atherosclerosis is lifestyle change, and early care helps.
- Ask your doctor about your own heart risk.
- Do not wave off a week of unusual tiredness.
- Remember that some people feel nothing until it is serious.
This article is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor about your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Eddie Guerrero die?
He died on November 13, 2005, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
How old was Eddie Guerrero when he died?
He was 38. He was born on October 9, 1967.
What was Eddie Guerrero's cause of death?
An autopsy found acute heart failure. The official report cited natural causes related to arteriosclerotic heart disease.
Who found Eddie Guerrero?
His nephew, Chavo Guerrero, found him unconscious in a Minneapolis hotel room.
Did Eddie Guerrero die in the ring?
No. He died in his hotel room two days after his last match on SmackDown.
Is Eddie Guerrero in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Yes. WWE inducted him posthumously in the class of 2006.
Keep Reading
- Browse more guides in our General Knowledge section.
- Want more pop-culture explainers? Try The Irish Curse in Good Will Hunting.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Eddie Guerrero
- Wrestling-Online: The Death of Eddie Guerrero (timeline, includes the December 8, 2005 report)
- Slam Wrestling: Guerrero died of heart disease (November 15, 2005)
- Wrestling Inc: Eddie Guerrero autopsy results (November 17, 2005)
- HU News Service: WWE Superstar Found Dead in Hotel Room (November 15, 2005)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Atherosclerosis
Short answer: Eddie Guerrero died on November 13, 2005, in Minneapolis, at age 38. An autopsy found acute heart failure.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's report listed natural causes tied to arteriosclerotic heart disease. In plain terms, narrowed arteries contributed to his heart failure.
That is the core of the Eddie Guerrero death story. This guide adds the timeline, the autopsy details, and what nobody can say for certain. Each fact links to its source at the end.
Eddie Guerrero Quick Facts
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Full name | Eduardo Gory Guerrero Llanes |
| Born | October 9, 1967, El Paso, Texas |
| Died | November 13, 2005, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Age at death | 38 |
| Cause of death | Acute heart failure |
| Found by | His nephew, Chavo Guerrero |
| Last match | November 11, 2005, on SmackDown |
| WWE Hall of Fame | Class of 2006 |
Who Was Eddie Guerrero?
Eddie came from a wrestling family. His father, Gory Guerrero, was a first-generation wrestler, and Eddie debuted in 1986.
His "Latino Heat" character cheated with a grin. The catchphrase "I Lie! I Cheat! I Steal!" became his trademark. He was a rule-breaker you still cheered for, which is a rare trick.
- He won the WWE Championship on February 15, 2004, by beating Brock Lesnar at No Way Out.
- That was his only world title in WWE.
- He also held titles in ECW, WCW and the WWF.
- He teamed with his nephew Chavo as Los Guerreros.
- He became the top star on the SmackDown brand in 2004.
How Did Eddie Guerrero Die?
It started as a normal week on the road. Eddie wrestled his last match on the November 11, 2005 SmackDown, beating Mr. Kennedy by disqualification.
- November 11: Eddie wins his final televised match.
- November 13: Chavo finds him unconscious at the Marriott Hotel City Center in Minneapolis.
- Chavo said Eddie had passed out in the bathroom, toothbrush in hand, with the sink running.
- Chavo said Eddie was still alive when he found him.
- Paramedics arrived, and Eddie was pronounced dead at age 38.
Source for the steps above: Wikipedia.
Local police saw no foul play and no sign of suicide, per a Star Tribune report. That addressed the darkest rumors early.
Eddie Guerrero's Cause of Death: What the Autopsy Found
Two findings came out, and they agree. The first was a quick summary from his widow. The second was the official report.
| Stage | Date | What it said | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | November 15, 2005 | Heart failure. Signs of heart disease. Worn, narrow blood vessels, as Vickie Guerrero relayed from the examiner. | Slam Wrestling |
| Official | December 8, 2005 | Natural causes related to arteriosclerotic heart disease. Narrow vessels that supply the heart contributed to his death. | Wrestling-Online |
Think of arteries as pipes. Plaque is the clog nobody notices until the sink backs up.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says atherosclerosis happens when plaque builds up inside your arteries. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows them, which limits blood flow.
Here is what that meant for Eddie:
- His heart arteries were narrow and worn.
- Vickie said the examiner described an enlarged heart working extra hard (Wrestling Inc).
- Vickie said the examiner found no trauma.
- The result was acute heart failure, with little warning.
Were There Warning Signs?
Looking back, there may have been a hint. Vickie said Eddie felt unwell for about a week. He and his family assumed he was simply worn out from travel.
She also said the examiner called that normal, because his heart was working so hard. The NHLBI notes that some people with atherosclerosis have no symptoms at all. That is why a checkup matters more than a hunch.
Addiction History and His Heart: What We Can and Cannot Say
Eddie's addiction story was public, and WWE even wove parts of it into storylines. The facts below come from Wikipedia.
- A car accident on New Year's Day 1999 led to a painkiller addiction.
- He entered rehab in May 2001.
- WWF released him in 2001 over addiction issues.
- He worked toward sobriety afterward and returned to WWE in 2002.
Vickie told WWE.com the examiner linked the worn vessels to past drinking, drug abuse and a heavy schedule. Chavo, however, said Eddie had just marked four years of sobriety.
So the honest answer is mixed. The official cause is heart disease, and the summaries we found assign no single blame. Treat any neat explanation with suspicion.
How the Wrestling World Responded
- WWE aired tribute episodes of Raw on November 14 and SmackDown on November 18, 2005.
- Storylines paused, and WWE did not require employees to perform.
- Raw closed with a ten-bell salute.
- TNA dedicated its Genesis event to Eddie.
- Ring of Honor renamed its next show Night of Tribute.
- Rey Mysterio, Chavo and Christian Cage used his Frog Splash in matches.
Source: Wikipedia.
Eddie Guerrero's Legacy
WWE inducted Eddie into its Hall of Fame five months after his death, in the class of 2006. Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio and Chavo inducted him.
His city still remembers him. El Paso's City Council declared an Eddie Guerrero Day on November 18, 2025. A mural followed in El Segundo Barrio in April 2026 (Wikipedia). Not bad for a man who claimed to steal for a living.
What Eddie Guerrero's Death Teaches Us About Heart Health
Eddie's case shows how quietly artery disease can work. The NHLBI says the main treatment for atherosclerosis is lifestyle change, and early care helps.
- Ask your doctor about your own heart risk.
- Do not wave off a week of unusual tiredness.
- Remember that some people feel nothing until it is serious.
This article is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor about your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Eddie Guerrero die?
He died on November 13, 2005, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
How old was Eddie Guerrero when he died?
He was 38. He was born on October 9, 1967.
What was Eddie Guerrero's cause of death?
An autopsy found acute heart failure. The official report cited natural causes related to arteriosclerotic heart disease.
Who found Eddie Guerrero?
His nephew, Chavo Guerrero, found him unconscious in a Minneapolis hotel room.
Did Eddie Guerrero die in the ring?
No. He died in his hotel room two days after his last match on SmackDown.
Is Eddie Guerrero in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Yes. WWE inducted him posthumously in the class of 2006.
Keep Reading
- Browse more guides in our General Knowledge section.
- Want more pop-culture explainers? Try The Irish Curse in Good Will Hunting.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Eddie Guerrero
- Wrestling-Online: The Death of Eddie Guerrero (timeline, includes the December 8, 2005 report)
- Slam Wrestling: Guerrero died of heart disease (November 15, 2005)
- Wrestling Inc: Eddie Guerrero autopsy results (November 17, 2005)
- HU News Service: WWE Superstar Found Dead in Hotel Room (November 15, 2005)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Atherosclerosis