The details behind Richard Simmons’ passing are starting to come into focus with the announcement of a preliminary cause of death.

On Monday, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced via a statement that Simmons had died of ‘apparent natural causes.’

‘On July 13, 2024, at 9:55 AM, the LAFD responded to a Suspected Death Incident at the 1300 block of N Belfast Drive,’ LAFD Captain Erik Scott told ET.

A rescue ambulance found a 76-year-old man pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics due to apparent natural causes. No hospital transport was needed.

Police officers and firefighters were dispatched to Simmons’ home in Los Angeles after receiving a call from his housekeeper.

Simmons was found dead just one day after he celebrated his 76th birthday.

Although a preliminary cause of death is now available, it’s not the final word on how Simmons died, as the matter is currently being probed by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police officials confirmed to People on Monday that the fitness expert’s death at his home in Los Angeles was under further examination, and that the case had been deferred by the Medical Examiner’s Office, which calls for a further probe and tests to be conducted, according to the outlet.

The examination can span as long as three months until an official ruling is issued, the outlet reported.

Authorities pronounced Simmons dead at the scene, according to the outlet, and foul play was not suspected in connection with the death, which was going to be probed as under natural causes.

Members of the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division also responded to the call due to the high-profile person who had died, the outlet reported.

Police subsequently told the outlet that Simmons had fallen in the bathroom of his home on Friday – which marked his 76th birthday – and that his housekeeper had attempted to persuade him to seek immediate medical help.

Simmons declined because it was his birthday and he didn’t want to go anywhere, informing her that he might go on Saturday. The housekeeper helped him safely get back to his bedroom, where she found him the following morning on the floor at around 10 a.m., according to the outlet.

One source told the outlet that Simmons had said he felt ‘dizzy’ prior to falling down, while a separate insider said Simmons ‘showed no obvious or external signs of injury’ after he fell down.

It was not immediately clear if the fall and feelings of dizziness were connected to his death.  

Simmons acknowledged his legion of adoring fans in a moving interview he gave People Thursday, just two days before he died.   

At the conclusion of the interview, the fitness impresario was told by the outlet that he had been ‘missed’ after keeping a low profile over the past decade, and asked if he understood the fondness fans had for him.

‘I know people miss me,’ Simmons told the outlet. ‘And you know what? I miss them, too. But I’m able to reach them through phone calls… and through emails.’

Simmons also revealed in his final interview that he had emerged into the public while concealing his appearance.

‘I do leave the house sometimes,’ Simmons said. ‘But I’m in disguise.’

The outlet reported that the interview with Simmons just prior to his passing was his first since 2014, the year he stopped making public appearances.

The New Orleans-born star, who had been a staple on television promoting his fitness industry endeavors – including studios, books, weight loss programs and videos – had been at the center of speculation over the past decade after he ceased making public appearances, spurring speculation about his safety and well-being.

Sources close to the late celebrity told the outlet that the reason he bowed out of the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee that he had refused to undergo.

Simmons told People on Thursday that he’d also had a skin cancer scare after undergoing a procedure to have it extracted earlier this year.

‘Basal cell carcinoma, it was scary,’ Simmons said of the ailment. ‘But it never came back.’

Simmons told the outlet that he strived to spread optimism and positivity to those dealing with similar health battles.

‘So many people have cancer,’ Simmons said. ‘I call them, I sing to them: “You’re gonna get through this. You just have to believe that.”‘

Simmons told the outlet he had been collaborating on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months.

‘I’ve written 14 songs for a Broadway show,’ he said. ‘And I’m working with an amazing man – Patrick Leonard. I don’t know if you know his name, but he wrote music for Madonna, Elton John. He’s like one of the biggest.

‘And we talk a couple of times a week. I write the lyrics, and he writes the music. The whole show is about my life – from selling pralines in New Orleans at a candy store when I was a kid, to when I decided to retire.’

Simmons had been gradually reemerging into his public persona, communicating on X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube earlier this year, and via email with his fans.

He told People Thursday, ‘Today is a beautiful day. But nothing’s really different. I got up this morning. I said my prayers, I counted my blessings, and then I went to work.

‘You know? And writing messages, answering emails – and when the email is real extreme, I ask for their numbers, and I call them. I’m feeling great, cause I’m helping people.’

His final social media post came on Saturday, quoting a line from the 1968 musical comedy Funny Girl.

Simmons was asked about his low-profile interactions with his fans, telling the outlet that his measure of success was the number of people he had provided assistance and inspiration to.

‘Well, when I decided to retire, it was because my body told me I needed to retire,’ Simmons said. ‘I have spent time just reflecting on my life. All of the books I wrote, the videos.

‘I never was like, “Oh look what I’ve done.” My thing was, “Oh, look how many people I helped.”‘

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Source: Tampa Bay Times