Coroner classifies Richard Simmons' death as an accident, heart disease plays a role

(TND) — According to Richard Simmons' brother Lenny Simmons, the death was an accident.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office told Simmons' brother Wednesday morning “that Richard's death was ruled accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor,” according to a family statement first shared with PEOPLE.

The fitness video and television star was found dead in his Los Angeles home on July 13, one day after his 76th birthday, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to The National Desk.

He was found by his housekeeper, TMZ first reported.

The Los Angeles Police Department stated that “there was no foul play,” but the cause of death had not yet been determined because further investigations were necessary.

TMZ reported that Simmons fell in his bathroom the night before his death because he felt dizzy. He refused to seek medical attention despite his housekeeper's insistence that he see a doctor, TMZ stated in its report.

A family spokesman added on Wednesday that they had been informed that the toxicology report was negative, with the exception of the medications that Richard had been prescribed.

The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss,” said the statement, which was made available to several media outlets.

Less than 24 hours before his death, Simmons posted a message on social media thanking people for all the messages he had received.

“Thank you, I have never received so many messages on my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a wonderful rest of your Friday,” Simmons wrote in a social media post.