Richard Simmons' Cause Of Death Is Finally Clear

Richard Simmons' cause of death has been revealed. Initially, authorities told Simmons' publicist Tom Estey on July 13 that they were investigating what killed the fitness guru, but there was "no foul play" suspected, per People. Over a month later, Simmons' brother confirmed the cause of death. "The Coroner informed Lenny [Simmons' brother] that Richard's death was accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor," Estey said in a statement to People on August 21. "The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed," the publicist added.

Simmons was found dead in his home by his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles, on July 13, per TMZ. At the time, LAPD's robbery homicide division was called in, but that was only because of the high profile nature of the celebrity's death. According to a separate report from TMZ, Reveles told authorities that Simmons had complained of dizzy spells the day before his death, and fell in the bathroom. Reveles urged him to seek medical attention, but the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" star wanted to stay home because it was his birthday. At the time of the report, an autopsy had already been performed, but officials were awaiting a full toxicology report to confirm Simmons' cause of death.

A few days later, a private funeral was held for Simmons that was attended by his family and closest friends, as confirmed by his publicist. Those closest to Simmons shared more details about his health leading to his death.

As mentioned, Richard Simmons felt unwell the day before his death, but his brother Lenny Simmons did not expect anything serious to come of the matter. "It was really a shock. He wasn't feeling really well that day, because he said he thought he'd had some food poisoning," Lenny told ET on July 15, only days after Richard's passing. The fitness mogul's brother described receiving the phone call from Richard's housekeeper and good friend, Teresa Reveles, saying that he had died. "My soul just [felt] sucked [out of my body]," Lenny told ET. Later that month, Reveles told People that she believed Richard died from a heart attack because his fists were tightly clenched into balls when she discovered his body.

Months before he was discovered unresponsive at home, Richard revealed he had health issues — these did not seem connected to his cause of death. In March, the "Party Off the Pounds" star made a cheeky Facebook post about his health status. "Please don't be sad. I am ....dying ... The truth is we all are dying," he wrote. The following day, Richard made another post and said he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. Besides that, Richard seemed in good health before his untimely passing.  

Along with leaving one last message for fans, Simmons gave a final interview days before his death. "I get up every day and help people. Because my work is very serious," Richard told People in an interview held two days before he died.