Richard Simmons’ cause of death confirmed by family

Fitness guru Richard Simmons died from heart disease and complications from a fall, his family confirmed Wednesday.

“This morning, Richard Simmons’ brother, Lenny, received a call from the L.A. Coroner’s office,” family spokesperson Tom Estey told People in a statement. “The coroner informed Lenny that 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,” the statement continued. “The family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss.”

Simmons was found dead at his Hollywood Hills home on July 13, a day after his 76th birthday. He had felt dizzy and fallen in his bathroom but declined to seek medical attention, telling his housekeeper he would go to the doctor the next day if he didn’t feel better.

The housekeeper found him unresponsive on his bedroom floor at around 10 a.m. the next day, and the exercise guru was pronounced dead at the scene.

While authorities investigated his death, they said early on they did not suspect foul play.

Simmons had burst onto the fitness scene in the 1980s with his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout video series, making 65 fitness videos and writing 12 diet and exercise books, in addition to releasing numerous audiocassettes and CDs and hosting the Emmy-winning “The Richard Simmons Show” from 1980-84.

“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother,” Lenny Simmons told People upon his brother’s death. “I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people.”