Richard Simmons' death is under investigation, pending cause of death, LAPD says

The death of Richard Simmons is under investigation pending a cause of death from the medical examiner, the Los Angeles Police Department said Monday, two days after the fitness icon was found dead at his L.A. home.

Simmons died Saturday, the day after his 76th birthday.

"We are awaiting the final cause of death ruling from the coroner's office before we can officially close the case," Norma Eisenman, public information officer for the LAPD said Tuesday.

It could take up to six weeks to receive test results.

In an interview with People magazine days before his death, Simmons said he was "grateful" to be alive.

"I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day," he said. "I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people."

He also said: "I never thought of myself as a celebrity. People don’t know this, I’m really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert. But when that curtain goes up, that’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy."

Simmons had not been seen publicly in over a decade, prompting speculation about his well being. In 2016 he called into NBC's "TODAY" show to debunk rumors that he was being held hostage by his housekeeper.

"No one is holding me in my house as a hostage. You know, I do what I want to do, as I've always done. So people should sort of just believe what I have to say, because, like, I'm Richard Simmons."

In 2017, Simmons' retreat from public life was the subject of the podcast "Missing Richard Simmons."

The day before Simmons’ birthday he thanked his fans for the birthday wishes on social media.

"Thank you ... I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life. I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday."

In March, Simmons raised concerns in a series of lengthy social media posts, telling fans that he had had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.

But he later clarified that the diagnosis had actually been “years ago” and that he was simply trying to urge people to get screened.

This exchange came days after a cryptic message was posted saying that he was dying. "I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am ... dying,” the post read.

Later, Simmons clarified his comments, saying he wasn’t dying but was trying to be inspirational.

"Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying. It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion. Love, Richard.”

Simmons also made headlines this year when he slammed two movies about his life starring comedian Pauly Shore.