Pastorius developed a self-destructive habit of provoking bar fights and allowing himself to be beaten up. On September 11, 1987, Pastorius was beaten to the point that he became comatose after a Carlos Santana concert in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and a few days later led to brain death. He was disconnected from life support and died on September 21, 1987 at the age of 35 at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale.