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Details of Richard Simmons' death confirmed by Los Angeles medical examiner
By Mason Leib,
1 day ago
The Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed famed fitness instructor Richard Simmons' cause of death on Thursday, one day after Simmons' family revealed his death was "accidental."
The medical examiner's office released a statement on Thursday confirming the cause of death as "sequelae of blunt traumatic injuries," adding that "arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a contributing condition."
The statement said the death was related to a fall Simmons had taken days earlier.
"It was reported Mr. Simmons experienced a fall on July 11 and spent the following day in bed," the medical examiner's office said. "He was found unresponsive on his bedroom floor on the morning of July 13, and 9-1-1 was called."
The cause of death was certified on Thursday, according to the medical examiner's office.
Tom Estey, a spokesperson for Simmons' family, provided a statement to ABC News on Wednesday revealing the death was "accidental."
"This morning, Richard Simmons' brother Lenny, received a call from the LA Coroner's office," the statement read. "The Coroner informed Lenny that Richard's death was accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor."
The statement added that "the toxicology report was negative" other than the medication that Simmons had been prescribed.
"The Family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss," the statement concluded.
Simmons died July 13 at 76 years old. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to Simmons' home on July 13 after a 911 call from his housekeeper and found Simmons dead, according to police sources.
Simmons rose to prominence in the 1980s with his massively popular line of fitness videos, inspiring a nationwide fitness trend. His videos, including the famed "Sweatin' to the Oldies" series, became some of the most popular workout videos of the era.
"The Richard Simmons Show," a talk show hosted by Simmons from 1980 to 1984, won four Daytime Emmy Awards.
Simmons, who stayed out of the public eye in more recent years, posted on Facebook just one day before his death, celebrating his 76th birthday on July 12.
"Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life!" he wrote at the time. "I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday."
ABC News' Bonnie McLean, Mark Osborne and Alex Stone contributed to this report.
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