Richard Simmons’ cause of death revealed
Richard Simmons’ cause of death has been revealed a month after he was found dead in his home.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office told Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, that the renowned fitness instructor died “due to complications from a recent fall and heart disease,” family spokesman Tom Estes told Page Six on Wednesday.
“Toxicology reports were negative other than the medication Richard was given,” the rep said, also adding that the manner of death was ruled an “accident.”
He concluded, “The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this time of tremendous loss.” People first reported Richard’s cause of death.
However, a representative for the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department told Page Six on Wednesday, “The cause of death and report have not yet been finalized, and the report has not been released.”
Etsy told Page Six in response, “Lenny was contacted by the coroner’s office this morning, and he simply stated what he was told.”
On July 13, police told TMZ that Richard had collapsed in his bathroom the previous night and was found by his domestic help the next morning at around 10 a.m. local time.
The famous workout instructor – who rose to fame in the ’80s and ’90s – reportedly died at the scene. He was 76.
Richard reportedly refused to seek medical help following the fall, with a source previously telling TMZ that his housekeeper urged him to seek treatment, but he told her to go to bed instead.
The fitness guru reportedly told his employee that he would try to visit a doctor the next morning.
Despite the accident, his housekeeper has said she believes Richard died of a heart attack.
Teresa Reveles told People last month that when she met her boss she noticed his hands were clenched into fists, adding, “I had a heart attack a few years ago, and I had the same thing with my hands.”
However, she concluded that Richard “died happy” because he “looked calm” when she found him.
On July 19, Richard was laid to rest in a private funeral in Los Angeles attended by family and friends.
“We pray for your continued love and support during this difficult time,” Lenny said via Etsy at the time.
He asked fans to remember his brother “for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives.”
