Current:Home > ContactRichard Simmons' final days: Fitness guru deferred medical care to spend birthday at home -AssetScope
Richard Simmons' final days: Fitness guru deferred medical care to spend birthday at home
View
Date:2025-04-13 05:30:56
More information about the circumstances of Richard Simmons' death has been released.
The day before the beloved fitness guru died on July 13, he deferred medical care after collapsing at his home because he wanted to spend the day at home for his 76th birthday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Department report reviewed by USA TODAY Thursday.
The report summarized the monthlong investigation into Simmons' cause of death and compiled information provided in interviews with witnesses and law enforcement, as well as an autopsy and lab work.
The former "Richard Simmons Show" host's death was ruled an accident. Simmons, whose legal name was Milton Teagle Simmons, died due to "sequelae of blunt traumatic injuries" — or complications stemming from injuries — with "arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease" as a contributing condition, per the report.
Richard Simmons spent the day in bed after a fall
According to witness accounts provided for the report, Simmons experienced dizziness after using the restroom and collapsed on the evening of July 11. His caretaker discovered him on the floor at around 9:30 a.m. the following morning, and with assistance from his housekeeper, they helped Simmons into bed. No foul play is suspected.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"He refused to seek medical care because he wanted to spend his birthday (07/12/2024) at home and agreed to seek medical care the following morning (07/13/2024)," the report reads.
He reportedly spent the day in bed, and Simmons' secretary believed his speech seemed slurred. His caretaker stayed with him until around 10 p.m. on July 12 and agreed to let him sleep in before seeking medical care. The next morning, at around 9:30 a.m., his caretaker found him unresponsive on the floor of his bedroom.
The autopsy found multiple contusions and abrasions on Simmons' body, as well as a fracture in his left femur.
The details in the report reflect what Teresa Reveles, Simmons' house manager of 35 years, told People magazine last month.
'Let me fly you to the moon':Richard Simmons' staff shares social media post he wrote before his death
Reveles said she was introduced to Simmons through an agency in 1986.
"I showed up in here and Richard says to me, 'Where are your clothes? Where is your big suitcase?' I said, 'I just bring the little suitcase because I only try this for two weeks. If you don't like me or you don't like my cooking, then I can't work,' " Reveles recalled, but Simmons replied, "Teresa, come in, you are never going to leave. We are going to be together until I die."
She added: "And you know what? His dream came true. He knew somehow."
Read more about the celebrities you love: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter.
Reveles said she found Simmons in his bedroom following his death and described, "When I saw him, he looked peaceful." The prior day he'd complained that his legs "hurt a lot."
Reveles also reflected on Simmons' retreat from the public eye in the final years of his life. She said Simmons wanted to leave the spotlight due to health issues and insecurity about his physical appearance. Reveles said Simmons suffered from knee pain and "thought he looked too old."
Simmons was doing well in the days leading up to his death, Reveles said, adding that he was staying in touch with fans through phone calls and emails and that he was writing a Broadway musical about his life story.
Contributing: Edward Segarra
veryGood! (986)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Ukraine aid left out of government funding package, raising questions about future US support
- Nebraska is imposing a 7-day wait for trans youth to start gender-affirming medications
- Chicago Bears' woes deepen as Denver Broncos rally to erase 21-point deficit
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Roof of a church collapses during a Mass in northern Mexico, trapping about 30 people in the rubble
- Las Vegas Raiders release DE Chandler Jones one day after arrest
- A fight over precious groundwater in a rural California town is rooted in carrots
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- The Supreme Court’s new term starts Monday. Here’s what you need to know
Ranking
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Hurts throws for 319 yards, Elliott’s 54-yarder lifts 4-0 Eagles past Commanders 34-31 in OT
- Last Netflix DVDs being mailed out Friday, marking the end of an era
- Last Netflix DVDs being mailed out Friday, marking the end of an era
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Tim Wakefield, who revived his career and Red Sox trophy case with knuckleball, has died at 57
- Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulls fire alarm ahead of House vote to fund government
- Ukraine aid left out of government funding package, raising questions about future US support
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
2023 MLB playoffs schedule: Postseason bracket, game times for wild-card series
Yes, Pete Davidson's Dating History Was Stacked Well Before He Was Linked to Madelyn Cline
Buck Showalter says he will not return as New York Mets manager
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
As if You Can Resist These 21 Nasty Gal Fall Faves Under $50
Southern California, Lincoln Riley top Misery Index because they can't be taken seriously
Indonesia is set to launch Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, largely funded by China