The Los Angeles County medical examiner has listed Richard Simmons' cause of death as “deferred” pending an investigation after the fitness guru passed away on Saturday.
The medical examiner’s database confirms that Simmons (whose real name was Milton Teagle Simmons) was found in his Los Angeles home. It also notes that his body is “ready for release” and that the case is currently open.
Sources told The Times on Saturday that there was no evidence that a crime had been committed at Simmons' home. The self-proclaimed Weight Saint and television personality died a day after his birthday. He was 76.
“I don’t want people to be sad for my brother. I want him to be remembered for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives,” Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. “He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.”
Lenny continued: “Don’t be sad. Celebrate your life!”
Simmons was known for his brightly colored workout outfits and energetic workout video empire that made him a pop culture fixture in the late 1970s and 1980s. He was also known for his appearances in television and film projects, including “CHiPs,” “General Hospital” and “What Women Want.”
“I consider myself a clown and a court jester, and I love making people laugh, whether they’re laughing with me or at me,” he told Men’s Health in 2012. “I love what I do, and more than anything, I’m a teacher.”
Simmons retired from public view in 2014 after undergoing knee surgery, but resurfaced years later to deny rumors about her health, including that she was transgender and underwent gender-affirming surgery to live as a woman.
In 2022, a TMZ documentary reignited speculation about her whereabouts, prompting Simmons to thank her fans for their “kindness and love” in a cheerful Facebook post.
Earlier this year, Simmons revealed that she had been diagnosed with skin cancer — specifically, basal cell carcinoma — and had undergone treatment to kill the cancerous cells. She gave her followers the update on her health days after she expressed concern with a cryptic Facebook post about death. “I’m not dying,” she clarified in a separate statement in March.
“It was a message saying that we should make the most of every day we have,” he wrote. “Sorry for this confusion. Love, Richard.”
Tom Estey, who has represented Simmons for more than 30 years, confirmed to The Times that there will be a public “celebration of life” for the fitness personality, though plans are not yet finalized.
