Richard Simmons refused medical help after pre-death fall: report
Richard Simmons reportedly refused medical help after falling the night before he was found dead in his home.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ Monday that Simmons had fallen in his bathroom Friday night — which happened to be his 76th birthday — before his housekeeper helped him up and tried to get him medical attention immediately.
However, the legendary fitness guru reportedly rejected the idea because he wanted to stay home on his birthday.
According to TMZ, he told his housekeeper that he would maybe see a doctor the next day before she helped him back to bed.
The outlet reported that Simmons had described feeling dizzy before the fall.
Around 10 a.m. on Saturday, the housekeeper reportedly found the aerobics instructor unresponsive on the floor next to his bed.
Another source told TMZ that Simmons showed no obvious or external signs of injury — including bumps, bruises or bleeding — following the fall.
The New Orleans native was pronounced dead on the scene, and police told the outlet that there were no signs of foul play.
Though Simmons’ autopsy has been completed, the cause of his death is pending toxicology test results.
The weight-loss promotor said he felt “good” and was “grateful” to be “alive” in a rare interview published just one day before his passing.
“I feel good! I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day,” Simmons told People in a story released Friday. “I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”
The health-conscious vegetarian said he would blow out a candle but that it would “probably be on a zucchini.”
He added that he might be naughty and indulge in “just one” Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie.
Simmons revealed in March that he was diagnosed with and treated for skin cancer “so many years ago.”
