The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that the cause of death for renowned fitness instructor Richard Simmons is currently under investigation. Simmons, who passed away on Saturday, a day after his 76th birthday, was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles home. The Medical Examiner’s Office in Los Angeles has deferred the case, calling for additional testing which could take up to three months to determine an official cause of death.
Emergency services were called to Simmons’ residence on Saturday morning following a report from his housekeeper. Despite the sudden nature of his passing, authorities have stated that there was no evidence of foul play at the scene.
According to reports, Simmons had experienced a fall the night before his death, which coincided with his 76th birthday. His housekeeper had assisted him and attempted to seek immediate medical attention, but Simmons reportedly declined, expressing a desire to remain at home on his birthday. He had mentioned feeling dizzy prior to the fall and had considered seeking medical advice the following day.
On Saturday morning, however, the beloved aerobics instructor was discovered unresponsive on the floor next to his bed. Despite the fall, insiders have stated that there were no visible signs of injury on Simmons.
In a rare interview published just a day before his death, Simmons, who had been diagnosed with skin cancer in March, expressed gratitude for his life. He told People magazine, “I feel good! I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day. I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”
Simmons, who had been largely absent from the public eye for the past decade, also shared his feelings of mutual longing with his fans. He said, “I know people miss me. And you know what? I miss them, too. But I’m able to reach them through phone calls… and through emails. And I do leave the house sometimes. But I’m in disguise.”