Richard Simmons died from sequelae of blunt traumatic injuries, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner determined. The department listed arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease as a contributing condition and classified his death as an accident.
What was Richard Simmons’ cause of death?
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner certified the cause as “sequelae of blunt traumatic injuries.” The department separately identified arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease as a contributing condition. That distinction matters: the official finding was not that heart disease alone caused his death. The department’s August 22, 2024 release states both findings.
Was his death ruled accidental?
Yes. The medical examiner’s release says, “The manner of death is accident.” In a death investigation, the cause identifies the injury or condition leading to death; a contributing condition may have played a role without being named as the primary cause; and the manner classifies how the death occurred. Here, the department named traumatic injuries as the cause, cardiovascular disease as contributing, and accident as the manner.
What did the medical examiner report about the timeline?
The department’s account says a fall was reported on July 11, 2024. Simmons spent the following day in bed and was found unresponsive on his bedroom floor on the morning of July 13. The department says death was determined at 0945 hours that morning. A deputy medical examiner completed an examination on July 14 at the Department’s Forensic Science Center, and the cause was certified on August 22.
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How does the official finding differ from earlier reports?
ABC News reported the examiner’s cause, contributing condition, and account of the reported fall and discovery. It also reported a family spokesperson’s earlier statement that Simmons’ death was accidental and that toxicology was negative except for prescribed medication. That toxicology detail was attributed to the spokesperson in ABC’s reporting; it is not part of the County’s August 22 release. ABC News’ report and the Los Angeles Times’ coverage distinguish the earlier family account from the medical examiner’s published determination.
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