Richard Simmons' Autopsy Results Reveal Devastating News
Richard Simmons' cause of death has finally been revealed...and it's not at all what we expected.
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00:00Richard Simmons' cause of death has finally been revealed, and it's not at all what we expected.
00:05The news was revealed to People in a statement from Simmons publicist Tom Esty on August 20th,
00:10more than a month after the fitness guru's death. He said,
00:12This morning, Richard Simmons' brother Lenny received a call from the L.A. coroner's office.
00:17The coroner informed Lenny that Richard's death was accidental due to complications
00:21from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor. The toxicology report
00:25was negative, other than medication Richard had been prescribed. Simmons was found dead
00:29in his home by his longtime housekeeper and good friend, Teresa Ravellis, on July 13th.
00:34At the time, LAPD's robbery-homicide division was called in, but this was only because of
00:39the high-profile nature of the celebrity's death. According to a report from TMZ,
00:42Ravellis told authorities that Simmons had complained of dizzy spells the day before
00:46his death and fell in the bathroom. Ravellis urged him to seek medical attention,
00:50but he wanted to stay home because it was his birthday. Tragically, the fall was too much for him.
00:55In an older person, they may not be as resilient and they may not bounce back as quickly from a
01:00fall or complications from a fall. Family, friends, and fans alike were
01:04shocked by his sudden passing. Esty took to Instagram and wrote,
01:07Today I lost a best friend, a confidant, a cheerleader, a family member and client.
01:12The world lost an angel. I've known this amazing and kind and loving man for 32 years.
01:17Tonight is the first night in years that I didn't get a call asking about my day and
01:20wishing me a good night's rest and to sleep with my angels. Tomorrow morning,
01:24that morning call won't come. A few days later, a private funeral was held for Simmons.
01:28According to Esty, only his family and closest friends attended. As we mentioned before,
01:33Simmons felt unwell the day before his death, but his brother, Lenny Simmons,
01:36didn't expect anything serious to come of the matter. He told ET on July 15th,
01:40only a few days after Richard's passing,
01:42It was really a shock. He wasn't feeling really well that day because he said he thought he'd
01:46had some food poisoning. Lenny described receiving the phone call from Ravellis,
01:50saying that he had died. He said,
01:52My soul just felt sucked out of my body.
01:54Later that month, Ravellis told People that Simmons looked peaceful when she
01:57discovered his body in the bathroom. She also noticed that his hands were clenched into fists,
02:01explaining,
02:02That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago and my
02:05hands did the same thing.
02:07Months before his death, Simmons revealed he had health issues. After discovering a
02:11strange bump under his eye and visiting a dermatologist, he was informed that he had
02:15basal cell carcinoma. However, the cancerous growth was successfully removed, so it seemed
02:19that he was in relatively good health all the way up until his unexpected death.
02:23Simmons gave a final interview to People just days before he passed away. It was his first
02:27since his sudden retirement in 2014. Describing how he was spending his time at home, out of
02:32the spotlight, he said,
02:33Today is a beautiful day, but nothing's really different. I got up this morning,
02:38I said my prayers, I counted my blessings, and then I went to work, you know? And writing
02:42messages, answering emails, and when the email is real extreme, I ask for their numbers and
02:46I call them. I'm feeling great because I'm helping people.
02:49I don't have to work anymore. This is my passion and this is my mission.
02:54Until the very end, Simmons was passionate about helping others.
02:57This will forever be his legacy.