Flores's family took to his Instagram account on Wednesday to announce the heartbreaking loss. They stated, “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.”

Originally hailing from Chicago, Ken Flores quickly made a name for himself among the vibrant stand-up comedy scene in Los Angeles. He established strong connections within renowned comedy venues such as Hollywood’s Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, The Haha, and the Hollywood Improv. Throughout his career, he toured extensively and forged friendships with comedy luminaries like Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy, and Felipe Esparza. Flores was a crucial figure in the rising wave of Latin comedians and had plans to go on a national tour alongside fellow comedians Ralph Barbosa and his close friend Rene Vaca.

Vaca expressed his heartache over the loss and recalled how close they were to embarking on a successful venture together. “We were gonna break seven figures [with the income from this tour], and it was going to be special,” he told The Times. “Hopefully, we can still do it in honor of him and donate the earnings to his family. The timing is incredibly upsetting since we heard about the tour just the day before and then this tragedy occurs.”

Despite the somber occasion, Vaca is determined to continue with his showing at Hollywood’s Laugh Factory on Wednesday night at 10 p.m. to honor Flores’s memory.

As news of Flores's demise spread throughout the comedy circuit, heartfelt tributes began to pour in. Jo Koy, currently in Japan, reflected on the loss saying, “I was crushed.” He shared past messages he sent to encourage Flores in his comedic journey, stating, “I’ve been saying it before I met you...you’re a beast. Now go kill ‘em.”

Koy reminisced fondly about his relationship with Flores, asserting, “I always checked in on him; I truly loved this guy. Just days before he passed, I posted about a picture of his tour schedule. It's all so surreal.”

Gabriel Iglesias expressed his feelings in a statement: “I feel honored to have spent time with Ken. He was undeniably hilarious but above all, he was kind, respectful, and a joy to be around. He will be missed dearly.”

Felipe Esparza, a longtime mentor, remembered Flores as his “big little brother with an infectious laugh and presence.” Ralph Barbosa, who connected with Flores ahead of their tour, shared his admiration: “Ken was incredibly funny and genuine. He never pretended to be someone he wasn’t to get ahead. His success was purely a result of his talent and hard work… I admired him a lot and his comedy style.”

Ken Flores was not only large in stature but also possessed a larger-than-life personality that enabled him to connect profoundly with audiences. While his crowd work was remarkable, it was his sincerity, humor, and candidness that really struck a chord with those who attended his shows. His relatable material drew in fans from all walks of life.

Just a few days before his untimely passing, Flores proudly shared on X about completing several tour dates alcohol-free, expressing his excitement for imminent performances. “So I started my tour a couple of weeks ago, and I’m proud to say I’ve done every single show—5 in Portland, 1 in Albuquerque, and 4 in Atlanta—without a drop of alcohol,” Flores wrote. “I’m anxious about Phoenix next weekend, but I think I can handle it. I’m not sober; I just want to take it easy.”

In December, Flores filmed his debut comedy special, yet it has not been made public. He was in the midst of a tour that kicked off in Portland, Oregon, on January 10, with plans to wrap up in San Diego, California, on April 19.

“Ken Flores was so much more than a comedian,” Vaca reflected. “He was one of the greatest human beings I’ve known. I always regarded him as my favorite comedian, and we often referred to him as God's favorite comedian. He profoundly impacted my career, and he changed the world. He truly was the best, the GOAT of comedy.”