Richard Simmons cause of death FILE PHOTO: Richard Simmons promotional photo for the ABC tv series "General Hospital." His death has been ruled an accident. (Photo by American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) (Walt Disney Television Photo Arc/ABC)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
A medical examiner determined what killed fitness guru Richard Simmons representatives announced Wednesday.
Thomas Estey, Simmons’ representative, told People magazine, “Richard’s death was accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor. The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed.”
His longtime housekeeper found Simmons on July 13 the day after he celebrated his 76th birthday, CNN reported.
There were reports that Simmons had fallen in his bathroom on his birthday but decided not to see a doctor. He was found unresponsive next to his bed the next morning.
The Los Angeles Police Department had said that there was no foul play but testing was needed so his cause of death was initially listed as deferred.
Days before his death, Simmons told People magazine, “I feel good! I am grateful that I’m here, that I’m alive for another day. I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”
Along with the cause of death, Simmons’ family thanked fans for “their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Earlier Lenny Simmons told the celebrity gossip site, “I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him 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. So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life.”
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 1979: Richard Simmons appears in a promotional photo for the ABC TV series "General Hospital" in 1979. (American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 1984: Richard Simmons appears in a promotional photo for ABC in 1984. (American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 1992: Actor Richard Simmons poses for a portrait in 1992 in Los Angeles. (Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 1997: Fitness personality Richard Simmons during an interview with host Jay Leno on February 14, 1997. (Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 2000: Fitness personality Richard Simmons during an interview with host Jay Leno on February 22, 2000. (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 2004: Fitness expert Richard Simmons speaks to students about exercise and nutrition at the third annual Nutrition Advisory Council Symposium sponsored by LAUSD Nutrition Network at California State University on June 16, 2004, in Los Angeles. (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 2008: Fitness advocate Richard Simmons (center) dances with fans during a rally on Capitol Hill on July 24, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Simmons was on the Hill for a hearing and a rally to promote the benefits of physical and health education for children. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 2010: Richard Simmons attends the 2010 World Fitness Day at the Georgia Dome on May 1, 2010, in Atlanta. (Moses Robinson/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 2011: Fitness gurus Richard Simmons and Denise Austin are seen near pictures of the first television fitness guru, Jack LaLanne, before the start of LaLanne's funeral service on February 1, 2011, in Los Angeles. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Simmons through the years 2013: TV personality Richard Simmons attends the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV)