Richard Simmons' family speaks out on fitness icon's cause of death
The family of fitness icon Richard Simmons, who died last month shortly following his 76th birthday, is speaking out on Simmons' cause of death.
Simmons' brother Lenny said he received a call Wednesday morning regarding the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" star's cause of death, Simmons' publicist Tom Estey confirmed to USA TODAY. People magazine was the first to report the news.
"The coroner informed Lenny that Richard's death was accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor," Estey said. "The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed."
Estey concluded: "The family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss."
USA TODAY has reached out to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner for additional details.
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Richard Simmons dies:Fitness pioneer was 76
Simmons, a fitness guru known for his little shorts and big personality as the king of home exercise videos, died at his Hollywood home on July 13, exactly one day after he turned 76.
Richard Simmons' housekeeper recalls fitness icon's fall before death
Teresa Reveles, who worked as Simmons' house manager for 35 years, reflected on the fitness personality's death in a July 29 interview with People magazine.
Reveles said Simmons fell two days before his death, and he later told her the morning of his birthday that his legs "hurt a lot." Despite Reveles' recommendation to go to the hospital, she said Simmons chose to wait until the following morning.
Reveles said she found Simmons in his bedroom following his death. Although a cause of death had not been confirmed at the time, she alleged Simmons died of a cardiac episode.
"When I saw him, he looked peaceful," Reveles said, noting Simmons' hands were balled into fists. "That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same."
Teresa Reveles speaks out:Richard Simmons' housekeeper opens up about fitness personality's death
Estey told USA TODAY in a statement that "Ms. Reveles personally feels that Mr. Simmons suffered a fatal heart attack as a result of her previous experience and what she witnessed first-hand that morning."
