Richard Simmons’ death was partly caused by falls at home, combined with complications from heart disease, according to details reportedly shared with his brother by the coroner.
Lenny Simmons, Richard’s brother, received a call from the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office, which informed him that “Richard’s death was accidental due to complications from falls and heart disease as a contributing factor,” as stated by the Simmons family spokesperson, Tom Estey.
It was confirmed this information with Estey, matched details from a previous report on Richard’s final days. It was earlier reported that Richard experienced a fall in his bathroom on the night of his 76th birthday. When his housekeeper attempted to help him, he declined medical assistance.
After an autopsy in July, the Medical Examiner’s Office initially postponed an official ruling on Richard’s cause of death, awaiting toxicology results. Although the full report has not been released, Richard’s brother was reportedly given an early update.
Richard was discovered deceased in his Hollywood Hills home on July 13 by his housekeeper. First responders arrived at the scene, where he was pronounced dead just one day after his birthday. At the time, law enforcement officials indicated that foul play was not suspected, and the death was being investigated as a natural occurrence.
Richard Simmons became a household name after founding The Anatomy Asylum, later known as Slimmons, and producing a series of successful fitness tapes and DVDs, including “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” “Party Off the Pounds,” “Blast Off,” “Pump and Sweat,” “Tonin’ Uptown,” and “Tonin’ Downtown.”
He also appeared on television frequently, including a memorable 72-episode run on General Hospital.
