By Eve Buckland and Carly Johnson for Dailymail.com
22:06 Jul 19, 2024, updated 22:36 Jul 19, 2024
Richard SimmonsThe cause of death at the 76-year-old remains unknown amid an investigation into the fitness guru’s final hours – as the star was laid to rest in Los Angeles.
A pA police investigation has been launched after Simmons was found dead in his Los Angeles home on Saturday, July 13 after falling in his bathroom the night before.
His death certificate obtained by TMZ the manner of his death is not stated – it should be noted that the manner of his death is still under investigation.
Simmons, who is described as a “health motivator” on the certificate, was buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary, where stars including Kirk Douglas and Marilyn Monroe are buried.
The TV star, who retired from the spotlight in the final years of his promotion, was single at the time of his death.
He never publicly commented on his sexuality, but was a revered gay icon.
Click here to resize this module
“The LAPD is not pursuing the investigation as if foul play is involved at this point,” a police source said. PEOPLE THURSDAY.
Simmons’ preliminary cause of death was released Monday by the Angels Fire department after confirmation The police were investigating the case.
It was announced via a statement that Simmons died of “apparent natural causes.”
“On July 13, 2024, at 9:55 a.m., LAFD responded to a suspected fatal incident in the 1300 block of N Belfast “Drive,” said LAFD Capt. Erik Scott. Entertainment tonight.
“On arrival, an ambulance discovered a 76-year-old man who was pronounced deceased at the scene by firefighters and paramedics from apparently natural causes. Consequently, no transport to hospital was necessary,” he concluded.
Police and firefighters were dispatched to Simmons’ Los Angeles home after receiving a call from his housekeeper.
Simmons was found dead just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday.
Police officials confirmed PEOPLE As of Monday, Simmons’ death was under further review and the case had been postponed by the medical examiner’s office, which is requesting further investigation and testing, according to the outlet.
The review could take up to three months before an official decision is made, the outlet reported.
Authorities pronounced Simmons dead at the scene, according to the outlet, and no foul play was suspected in the death, which was being investigated as natural causes.
Members of the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division also responded to the call for the death of a high-ranking individual, the outlet reported.
Police later told the outlet that Simmons fell in the bathroom of his home on Friday — his 76th birthday — and that his housekeeper tried to persuade him to seek immediate medical attention.
Simmons declined because it was his birthday and he didn’t want to go anywhere, informing her that he could go Saturday. The housekeeper helped him safely return to his room, where she found him the next morning on the floor around 10 a.m., according to the outlet.
A source told the outlet that Simmons said he felt “dizzy” before falling, while another source said Simmons “showed no obvious or external signs of injury” after his fall.
It was not immediately clear whether the fall and dizziness were related to his death.
Simmons paid tribute to his legion of adoring fans in an emotional interview with People on Thursday, just two days before his death.
At the end of the interview, the fitness manager was told by the outlet that he was “missed” after keeping a low profile for the past decade, and was asked if he understood the affection fans had for him.
“I know I miss people,” Simmons told the outlet. “And you know what? I miss them, too. But I can reach them by phone … and by email.”
Simmons also revealed in his latest interview that he appeared in public concealing his appearance.
“I do go out sometimes,” Simmons said. “But I’m in disguise.”
The outlet reported that Simmons’ interview just before his death was his first since 2014, when he stopped making public appearances.
The New Orleans-born star, who was a fixture on television promoting his fitness industry endeavors — including studios, books, weight-loss programs and videos — had been at the center of speculation over the past decade after he stopped making public appearances, sparking speculation about his safety and well-being.
Sources close to the late celebrity told the outlet that the reason he withdrew from public life was a knee surgery he underwent, and a second knee surgery he refused to undergo.
Simmons told People on Thursday that he also had a skin cancer scare after having surgery to remove it earlier this year.
“Basal cell carcinoma was scary,” Simmons said of the disease. “But it never came back.”
Simmons told the outlet that he strives to spread optimism and positivity to those facing similar health challenges.
“There are so many people who have cancer,” Simmons said. “I call them, I sing to them, ‘You’re going to get through this. You just have to believe.’”
Simmons told the outlet that he had been collaborating on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months.
“I wrote 14 songs for a Broadway show,” he said. “And I work with an incredible man: Patrick Leonard. I don’t know if you know his name, but he’s written music for Madonna, Elton John. He’s one of the greats.”
“We talk twice a week. I write the lyrics and he writes the music. The whole show is about my life — from selling pralines in a candy store in New Orleans as a kid to when I decided to retire.”
Simmons had gradually re-emerged into his public persona, communicating on X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube earlier this year, and via email with fans.
He told People on Thursday: “Today is a beautiful day. But nothing has really changed. I got up this morning. I said my prayers, I counted my blessings, and then I went to work.
“You know? And writing messages, answering emails – and when the email is really extreme, I ask for their numbers and call them. I feel good, because I’m helping people.”
His last social media post was published on Saturday, quoting a line from the 1968 musical Funny Girl.
Simmons was asked about his low-key interactions with fans, telling the outlet that his measure of success was the number of people he had provided help and inspiration to.
“When I decided to retire, it was because my body was telling me I had to,” Simmons said. “I spent time reflecting on my life. All the books I’ve written, the videos.
“I never thought, ‘Oh, look what I’ve done.’ My thing was, ‘Oh, look how many people I’ve helped.’”