Mystery persists in the tragic death of celebrity hairstylist Jesus Guerrero, who passed away suddenly over the weekend aged 34.
Guerrero – whose star-studded clients included Kylie Jenner and Jessica Alba – died in a US hospital after falling sick with a mystery illness, his sister, Gris Guerrero, told US Weekly on Tuesday.
Now the family is desperately seeking answers as tragic details of the style guru’s final days have emerged.
The Texas native had recently returned home from Dubai where he’d been scheduled to work with Jennifer Lopez for her Saadiyat Nights concerts in Abu Dhabi.
According to his grieving younger sister, Guerrero was visibly unwell when he arrived in the Middle East last week and was advised by colleagues not to work and instead seek treatment at the hospital.
The coveted stylist consulted with doctors as instructed but wanted to return to the States to recover.
‘Everyone on his team did everything they could to get him to the doctors because he was not well,’ shared Gris.
‘They told him he was not going to work, he should see a doctor and rest. And he wanted to come home.’
Jesus Guerrero’s death was announced by his family on Saturday. He was 34
Guerrero started working with Kylie Jenner in 2019, launching his career as one of Hollywood’s most coveted stylists
Guerrero made the 16-hour flight from Dubai to his home in Los Angeles but was ‘forced’ by his roommate to seek further treatment at a hospital upon his return, Gris said, where he later died.
He had been working extensively throughout February, styling Kylie Jenner at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, and singer Kali Uchis at the Grammys, in addition to his work with Lopez.
Guerrero’s family has been able to track ‘every one of his steps’, Gris said, but still they’re perplexed by the undiagnosed illness that was plaguing Guerrero.
It’s also not known when his symptoms first began.
‘[There are] unanswered questions,’ said Gris, questioning if Guerrero’s long-haul flight back to the US may have exacerbated his condition.
‘We don’t know what got him sick or what was [the] sickness. It all happened suddenly and no one knows why.’
Adding to the family’s anguish is the fact that Guerrero sought medical treatment several times but still his death could not be prevented.
‘And that’s part of why there are so many unanswered questions because nothing they had done was able to prevent this from happening,’ furthered Gris.
Guerrero’s family said he was visibly unwell and told not to work just days before his death
The family launched a GoFundMe raising more than $90,000. Donations were halted by Guerrero’s loved ones after Kylie Jenner offered to pay for his funeral and other costs
Guerrero’s sibling shared that the family will have to hold off on any funeral arrangements until his cause of death can be determined.
When that time comes, it’s Guerrero’s client and close friend Kylie Jenner who has offered to cover the full costs for the ceremony.
Gris praised Jenner for her generosity, telling US Weekly: ‘She has told us anything we need. Jesus was family to her, and she was family to him.
‘She has kept an open line. Anything we need, any questions we have, she has been there for us.
‘She wants his memory to be honored and wants to do as much as she can so he gets the farewell he deserves.’
Gris shared that Jennifer Lopez has also reached out to her family, talking them through everything she remembers of Guerrero’s final movements in the Middle East, and putting them in touch with anyone who interacted with him.
‘I am very grateful for everything she did [for him],’ Gris said, ‘to go to the doctor and not to work and to get rest.’
Guerrero’s family has not yet confirmed the date of his death.
His tragic passing was first announced on Saturday by Gris, who launched a GoFundMe, sharing only that her brother’s death had been recent, sudden, and unexpected.
‘It is with a heavy heart that we let the world know that Jesus Guerrero has gone to heaven,’ read Gris’ heartbreaking announcement. He is a son, a brother, an uncle, an artist, a friend, and so much more.
‘Born and raised in Houston, TX to immigrant parents, Jesus learned how to work hard and dreamt of taking his skills to the top. Unfortunately, his passing came very suddenly and unexpectedly.’
The family also wrote on Instagram that they have ‘fallen into tears repeatedly reminiscing and wondering what [they] could’ have done to ensure he was still here with them.
Kylie Jenner was said to be left devestated and stunned by the news of Guerrero’s death
Jenner broke her silence on Tuesday to pay tribute her close friend, who she remembered as a ‘light in my life’
Guerrero also worked with Kylie Jenner’s older half-sister, Kim Kardashian
The GoFundMe amassed more than $90,000 in donations to help cover the cost of his funeral expenses before Kylie Jenner offered to pay for the services.
‘Our family deeply appreciates Kylie for later offering to cover funeral expenses and offering up all her help and support,’ read an update on the fundraiser on Monday.
‘Donations raised through this fundraiser will go toward the costs associated with securing his belongings home. As well as other unexpected expenses to settle his assets.
‘With his death being so unexpected there are many things that weren’t set up for a time like this. The next several months will have many hoops we will have to jump through to ensure we honor him in the best way we can.
‘Our mother will be taking time off to ensure that everything gets taken care of and so that she can greave [sic] properly because a mother should never have to bury her child.’
Jenner, 27, has also been working with the family to help transport his body and belongings back to his hometown of Houston, according to the family.
It was working with Kylie Jenner that catapulted Guerrero to stardom, leading him to become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stylists.
Guerrero started his career working on weddings and small events.
He later relocated from Texas to Los Angeles and his big break came in 2019 when he was recommended to Kylie Jenner by the social media star’s make-up artist.
From that moment, Guerrero and Jenner began working with one another regularly and developed a close bond.
He also went on to work with a host of other A-list actresses, singers, and other high-profile clients, including Demi Moore, Kim Kardashian, Rosalia, Katy Perry, Charli XCX, and Dua Lipa.
Sources close to Jenner shared that she had been left devastated by Guerrero’s death and was hardly eating or talking.
She spent the weekend comforting Guerrero’s loved ones, skipping an appearance at the SAG Awards with her actor boyfriend Timothée Chalamet, where he picked up the Best Actor award for his performance in the Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown.
Kylie Jenner (seen with Guerrero) spent the weekend comforting his family, sources said
Jenner finally broke her silence over Guerrero’s death in a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday, describing him as more than just a friend, and instead a ‘light in my life, a source of laughter, comfort, love, and unwavering support.’
She added: ‘I don’t know how I would have made it through the last almost decade without him by my side. He had a way of making even the heaviest days feel lighter.
‘Thank you, Jesus, for always being there for me, for lifting me up, for being my friend. The pain of losing you is just unbearable and I don’t know how to move forward without you but I know great grief is born only of great love. and I loved you so much.
‘You were the best person, with a talent that was unmatched. a true artist. You inspired so many, and you always will. Your words, your laughter, your kindness, your beautiful spirit will live in my heart forever. I’ll cherish all our moments together. every laugh and hug. I wish I could hug you again.
‘I laid in your bed the way you used to lay in mine, talking for hours. I would give anything for one more deep talk. I’m going to miss you so much. more than any words can say. 222 my angel.’
Accompanying the heartfelt post was a montage of images, showing the pair together during happier times.
Numerous other tributes have continued to pour in for Guerrero in the days since his death was announced, with friends, colleagues, and clients sharing their collective heartache and shock en masse.
Among them was his final client, Jennifer Lopez, who lamented Guerrero’s talent and warmth.
‘It’s no surprise your mother gave you the name Jesus,’ wrote Lopez, 55, to Instagram.
‘You were gentle and kind and loving, quiet and unassuming, but so powerful, and your presence was felt the minute you walked into any room.
‘You never demanded the spotlight. You never needed to make a sound to be recognized, your heart and your talent did that as effortlessly as your artistry did.
‘I’ve been having trouble putting together the last few days. The truth is I’m still in shock that such a beautiful young life has come to an end. It seems senseless and unfair. I know your family is brokenhearted as am I and everyone else who knew you.
‘Your spirit moved on to the next phase beyond this life but I know wherever you are there is beauty and light. And the beauty and light you left here will live on forever. Rest in peace, sweet angel.’
Jennifer Lopez, Guerrero’s final client, has been in contact with his family, sharing what she remembers from their final encouter, his sister revealed
JLo celebrated Guerrero for his kind and loving presence in a hearfelt post on Tuesday
Jessica Alba, 43, honored Guerrero too. Guerrero, far right, was a celebrity hair stylist who worked with multiple stars
Lopez performed at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on February 18 and then on February 20 and February 21 at Saadiyat Nights in Abu Dhabi.
Guerrero was part of her glam team for the trip but it’s unclear whether he worked on any of the scheduled dates, due to his sickly condition.
His death was announced on February 22.
A representative for JLo has not yet returned a request for comment.
Kylie Jenner’s half-sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian also paid their respects to Guerrero, as did actress Jessica Alba.
‘My heart breaks for Kylie and everyone who loved Jesus the way we all did,’ wrote Kim in her post.
‘I’m praying for his family, his loved ones and the whole beauty community who feels this deep loss of one of the most talented and kindest to ever do it! Rest in Peace @jesushair.’
Alba, meanwhile, posted a photo of the two of them riding bicycles together, writing: ‘Jesus- you were the purest, biggest heart and soul shined so bright. Will cherish memories forever – still can’t believe this.’
Requests for comment to Guerrero’s family have so far gone unanswered.
The family has since stopped accepting donations for their GoFundMe campaign.
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