Richard Simmons' Death Was an 'Accident' Due to 'Ground Level Fall' Says Medical Examiner in New Report

• Richard Simmons’ cause of death has been officially classified as an accident, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s report
• The fitness icon, who was found a day after her 76th birthday, died of “blunt blunt force trauma” caused by a “fall from ground level”, with cardiovascular disease a “contributing condition”.
• His brother, Lenny, urged people to “celebrate his life”

The death of Richard Simmons at the age of 76 has officially been classified as an accident, according to an August 29 report published by the Los Angeles’ Medical Examiner.

The fitness icon was found at his home on July 13 – a day after his 76th birthday. The report listed his cause of death as “blunt blunt force trauma” caused by a “ground-level fall” and added that “arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease” was a “contributing condition”.

The official report echoes what Simmons family spokesman Tom Estey exclusively told PEOPLE on Aug. 21: “This morning, Richard Simmons’ brother, Lenny, received a call from the LA Coroner’s office. The coroner informed Lenny that Richard’s death was an accident due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor, Estey said.

Fitness legend Richard Simmons in 2013. Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage

The medical examiner’s report mentions how Simmons fell before his death, writing, “According to reports, he experienced an episode of vertigo and collapsed to the floor on the evening of July 11, 2024.”

“He was found the next morning on July 12 and had spent the day in bed. On the morning of July 13, he was found unresponsive on the bedroom floor. His death was confirmed on the spot.”

Richard Simmons’ brother says he planned comeback to help ‘new generation’ struggling with weight (Exclusive)

The wellness legend also had a “left femur fracture… There were incidental bilateral renal cortical cysts and a gallstone.”

Toxicology reports revealed the presence of diphenhydramine (antihistamine), trazodone (antidepressant) and zolpidem (used to treat insomnia); however, as the report points out, “they do not appear to have contributed to the cause of death.”

Richard Simmons promoted weight loss on “Cruise to Lose” in 1996.

Alamy

The report concludes that “for public health and vital statistics purposes, given the history and circumstances currently known to me from the findings of the review and ancillary studies, the manner of death is classified as an accident.”

Two days before his death, Simmons gave what would be his last interview with PEOPLE.

“I feel good!” the late star told PEOPLE exclusively. “I’m thankful to be here, to be alive another day. I’m going to spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”

Richard Simmons’ staff share last post and last photo he prepared before his death: ‘We thought you’d like to see’

He joked that he would blow out a candle for his birthday, but added a fence: “The candle will probably be on the gourd,” Simmons joked.

“You know, I’m a vegetarian.”

Simmons was adored – and mourned – by many. During his career, he produced more than 50 workout videos — including the franchise milestone, I sweat with old people, which has sold more than 22 million copies — and was an early proponent of portion control with programs like Deal-a-Meal.

Richard Simmons started the groundbreaking “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” franchise in the 1980s.

Courtesy of Everett

As his brother Lenny told PEOPLE, “I don’t want people to be sad about my brother.”

“I want him to be remembered for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.”

“Don’t be sad,” Lenny told PEOPLE. “Celebrate his life.”

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