Matthew Wright’s cause of death has been identified as cardiopulmonary arrest, following the producer’s sudden death in Los Angeles at the age of 52.
His death certificate lists hypertension as the underlying cause, with obstructive sleep apnoea and Class II obesity recorded as contributing conditions.
Wright died on October 30, according to a fundraising appeal supporting his family. It said he passed away “suddenly but peacefully in his sleep”.
His family described his death as an “unfathomable tragedy” and said they were facing the cost of bringing his body home to New York. Wright and his husband, Justin, had both been laid off over the summer.
Money raised through the appeal is also intended to cover funeral expenses and a memorial in Los Angeles.
Ellen DeGeneres, for whom Wright worked as a producer, donated $5,000 and shared an emotional tribute to him on social media.
Longtime Ellen executive producer Andy Lassner also donated to the appeal and said he had visited the set of the Jennifer Hudson Show just hours before Wright’s death.
