Comedian Kevin Barnett's shock death earlier this week was caused by pancreatitis, it has been revealed. 

The 32-year-old was taken to the hospital in Tijuana on Tuesday. 

He was vacationing in Mexico at the time. 

Pancreatitis is the condition which ensues when the pancreas becomes inflamed. 

In severe, acute cases, it can become fatal if part of the pancreas - a gland which sits behind the upper abdomen - dies and causes infection and sepsis. 

There are a number of possible causes including gallstones, misuses of alcohol, cystic fibrosis and hereditary conditions. It remains unclear what caused Barnett to become afflicted.  

Around 200,000 people in the US are diagnosed with pancreatitis every year.

Of that, five per cent are likely to die.   

In a statement on Thursday, Tijuana's Chief of the Medical Forensic Service said in a statement: 'The corresponding autopsy was carried out, which determined that the cause of death was: Non Traumatic Hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis. 

'At the moment his body is still in facilities of the Forensic Medical Service of Tijuana, waiting to be delivered to his family members who are performing the legal proceedings.' 

Authorities with the U.S.

Department of State previously confirmed to the outlet that the New York City native died in Tijuana Tuesday.

Forensic officials said that Barnett's body was submitted to them at 5:50 a.m.

local time from Tijuana's Avenida Revolución.

Barnett was best known as the co-creator of the Fox comedy Rel.