Original reports such as his New York Times obituary published on March 28, 1990 said Enríquez died of pancreatic cancer. However, upon publication of his death certificate, Enríquez's cause of death was revealed to be complications resulting from AIDS. As reported on a 1992 episode of Entertainment Tonight, this was not a surprise to his Hill Street Blues costar Charles Haid, as Enríquez had disclosed to Haid the true nature of his affliction prior to his passing.