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The fitness guru was found dead at his home one day after his 76th birthday.
WASHINGTON — Fitness guru Richard Simmons died of natural causes, his brother Lenny has announced.
According to a family statement first shared with PEOPLE, the Los Angeles Coroner's office informed Simmons' brother on Wednesday morning "that Richard's death was accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor."
The best-selling author and exercise video star was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on July 13, one day after his 76th birthday. He was found by his housekeeper.
The cause of death was initially "deferred" by the medical examiner, pending further investigation.
TMZ reported that the night before his death, Simmons fell in his bathroom after feeling dizzy. He reportedly refused to get medical help, despite his housekeeper's insistence for him to visit a doctor.
A spokesperson for the family added Wednesday that they were told the toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed.
"The Family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss,” the statement, shared with multiple media outlets, said.
Simmons had been out of the public spotlight since 2014, an absence which inspired the hit 2017 podcast “Missing Richard Simmons.” Earlier this year, Simmons spoke out against a planned biopic about him starring Pauly Shore.
Less than 24 hours before his death, Simmons had posted a thank you on social media for all of the messages he'd received.
"Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday," Simmons wrote in a social media post.
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