Richard Simmons' official cause of death released by medical examiner
(KTLA) – The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has released Richard Simmons' official cause of death.
The fitness legend's death was ruled an "accident" and that he died "from sequelae of blunt traumatic injuries," or long-term effects of prior injuries. The report also noted that "atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease," a form of heart disease, was a contributing factor.
The report comes a week after Simmons' brother, Lenny, revealed the cause of death to People magazine. Through an attorney, he told the outlet that his brother's death was “accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor.”
According to the American Heart Association, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) happens when plaque builds up in the arteries. The condition can cause a heart attack, stroke or aortic aneurysm.
"Per reports, he experienced an episode of dizziness and collapsed on the floor on the evening of July 11, 2024. He was found the next morning on July 12 and spent the day in bed," the medical examiner's report stated. "On the morning of July 13, he was found unresponsive on the bedroom floor. His death was pronounced at the scene."
The autopsy showed "a fracture of the left femur and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease," the report continued. "There were incidental bilateral renal cortical cysts and a gallstone."
A toxicology report showed "the presence of diphenhydramine, trazodone, and zolpidem," but they "do not appear to have contributed to the cause of death."
Diphenhydramine is a known antihistamine and trazodone is used to treat depression. Zolpidem "is primarily used in the FDA-approved short-term treatment of insomnia aimed at patients with difficulty falling asleep," according to the National Institutes of Health.
Last week Lenny Simmons said that the "toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed."
Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Grant Ho signed off on the report.
Simmons was 76 when he died.