Comedian Ken Flores, known for creating the LatinXL Comedy Show and actively touring with his Butterfly Effect Tour, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Flores, 28, died at his residence in Los Angeles, California, from cardiac arrest. Officials confirmed his death, specifying it occurred around 2 p.m. His home had oxygen tanks, indicative of his ongoing health struggle.
Through an Instagram post, Flores’ family confirmed the tragic news: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of our friend, brother, and son, Kenyi Flores. Please respect our privacy at this time, as we are all shocked and devastated by this loss.”
For the past two years, Flores had been combatting congestive heart failure. He was actively seeking to better his health through weight loss efforts and oxygen therapy. A friend had called emergency responders to his home and attempted CPR, but Flores was declared dead at the scene by the time they arrived. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that no drugs were found, and there was no suspicion of foul play.
Flores was originally from Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Los Angeles, California, in 2023 to advance his comedy career. With his unabashed and direct humor, he quickly gained a significant following of 969,000 across various social media platforms after starting a national tour in September 2022. The comedian began his journey performing at open mic events at local Chicago venues, such as The Comedy Bar and Laugh Factory, and eventually secured gigs at the renowned Zanies comedy club.
Prior to his rise in comedy, Flores had been employed as a teller at PNC Bank. He initially gained public attention through his YouTube videos that went viral on WorldStarHipHop.
In 2023, Flores revealed in an interview that he had turned to comedy as a tool to change his lifestyle and break free from substance use. His commitment to personal development was evident in his recent social media updates, where he expressed pride in maintaining sobriety during his tour shows.
Flores’ career in comedy saw a rapid ascent marked by several milestones. His comedy routine that was shared in September 2023 went viral, significantly broadening his fan base. He had recently been a regular performer at major venues, such as the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, where his relatable performances and “XTRA large personality” resonated with audiences nationwide.
In one of his last interviews, Flores had expressed his dreams, stating his wish to “tour for the rest of my life, write new material, and make people happy” with his comedy. His dedication to his profession was reflected in his demanding tour schedule, which included multiple weekly shows across different cities.
Fellow comedian Chris D’Elia paid tribute to Ken Flores on Instagram, highlighting his unique humor and promising potential in the industry.
Flores played an instrumental role in founding the LatinXL Comedy Show, a platform that showcases Latin comedic talent. The show’s Instagram account stated that without Ken, the LatinXL show “WOULD NOT exist.”
The Butterfly Effect Tour had started on January 10 in Portland, Oregon, and had already staged successful shows in several cities. His final performance was in Norcross, Georgia, on January 25. The tour was set to run until April, concluding with a show in San Diego, California.
