Richard Simmons’ death was NOT the result of foul play, insiders say as police investigate fitness guru’s final hours

There is no evidence of foul play in the shocking death of fitness guru Richard Simmons.

A police investigation was launched after Simmons, 76, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Saturday, July 13, after falling in his bathroom the night before.

“The LAPD is not continuing the investigation as if there was foul play at this time,” a police source said. PEOPLE on Thursday.

Simmons’ preliminary cause of death was released Monday by the Los Angeles Fire Department after it was confirmed that police are investigating the case.

A statement said Simmons had died of “apparent natural causes.”

There is no evidence of foul play in the shocking death of fitness expert Richard Simmons; seen in 2013

“On July 13, 2024 at 9:55 a.m., the LAFD responded to a suspected fatal incident on the 1300 block of N Belfast Drive,” LAFD Captain Erik Scott said Entertainment tonight.

“On arrival, an ambulance discovered a 76-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene by firefighters/paramedics from apparent natural causes. As a result, no hospital transport was required,” he concluded.

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

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

Police officials confirmed that PEOPLE On Monday, it was announced that Simmons’ death was under further investigation and that the case had been adjourned by the Coroner’s Office. According to the newspaper, the coroner is requiring further investigation and testing.

The investigation could take up to three months before an official decision is made, the medium reports.

According to the news agency, Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene by authorities. No foul play was suspected. An investigation into natural causes would be conducted.

Members of the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Unit also responded to the call regarding the deceased celebrity, the site reported.

Police later told the newspaper that Simmons had fallen in the bathroom of his home on Friday — the day he turned 76 — and that his housekeeper had tried to persuade him to seek immediate medical attention.

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

“The LAPD is not continuing to investigate as if there was foul play at this time,” a police source told PEOPLE on Thursday; seen in 2013

A police investigation was launched after Simmons, 76, was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Saturday, July 13, after falling in his bathroom the night before; police seen at Simmons’ home on July 13

According to one source, Simmons had said he felt “dizzy” before he fell, while another insider said Simmons showed “no obvious or outward signs of injury” after he fell.

It was not immediately clear whether the fall and feeling of dizziness were related to his death.

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

At the end of the interview, the fitness impresario told the media that he was “missed” for keeping a low profile for the past decade, and was asked if he understood why fans loved him so much.

“I know people miss me,” Simmons told the outlet. “And you know what? I miss them, too. But I can reach them through phone calls … and through emails.”

Simmons also admitted in his last interview that he hid his appearance when he appeared in public.

“I do go out sometimes,” Simmons said. “But I’m in disguise.”

According to the outlet, the interview with Simmons just before his death was his first since 2014, the year he stopped making public appearances.

Simmons’ preliminary cause of death was released Monday by the Los Angeles Fire Department after it was confirmed that police were investigating the case; seen in 2013

Law enforcement officials confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday that Simmons’ death was under further investigation and that the case had been shelved by the Office of the Medical Examiner, which is requiring further investigation and testing, the outlet reported; seen in 2013

The New Orleans star has been a regular on television to promote his fitness industry endeavors, including studios, books, weight-loss programs and videos. He has been the center of speculation over the past decade after he stopped appearing in public, leading to speculation about his safety and well-being.

Sources close to the late celebrity told the media that the reason he withdrew from the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee that he refused to undergo.

Simmons told People on Thursday that he also feared skin cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the cancer earlier this year.

“Basal cell carcinoma, that was scary,” Simmons said of the condition. “But it never came back.”

Simmons told the newspaper that he aims to spread optimism and positivity among people facing similar health issues.

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

Simmons told the newspaper that he has been collaborating on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months.

“I wrote 14 songs for a Broadway show,” he said. “And I work with a great guy — Patrick Leonard. I don’t know if you know his name, but he’s written music for Madonna, Elton John. He’s one of the greatest.

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

Simmons gradually returned to public view, communicating with his fans earlier this year via X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and via email.

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

The fitness impresario was photographed at a March 1999 event at the University of Nebraska

Sources close to the late celebrity told the outlet that the reason he was withdrawing from the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee he had refused to undergo. Pictured in NYC in 2006

Simmons told the outlet that he had been working on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months. Pictured in October 2013

“You know? And writing messages, answering emails — and if the email is really extreme, I’ll ask for their numbers and call them. I feel great because I’m helping people.”

His last social media post appeared on Saturday, in which he quoted a line from the 1968 musical comedy Funny Girl.

Simmons was asked about his low-key interactions with his fans, and he told the outlet that he measured his success by the number of people he had helped and inspired.

“Well, when I decided to retire, it was because my body was telling me to retire,” Simmons said. “I spent time reflecting on my life. All the books I’ve written, the videos.

“I never thought, ‘Look what I’ve done.’ I thought, ‘Look how many people I’ve helped.'”