Richard Simmons posted a social media message just hours before his death
Richard Simmons, the well-known fitness guru, died on Saturday at the age of 76.
Now, according to People magazine, attention is being called to some of the last messages that he posted to his social media accounts - including a message that he posted to social media just hours before he died.
Simmons passed away on Friday, which was the day after his 76th birthday.
TMZ reports on the events that led up to Simmons' death.
He "took a fall last night"
TMZ, citing sources in law enforcement, reports that Simmons fell the night before his death.
"Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... police and fire responded to a call from his housekeeper just before 10 AM Saturday and pronounced him dead at the scene. We're told no foul play is suspected at this time, and cops are investigating it as a natural death," the outlet reports.
The outlet later added, "We're told Simmons fell in the bathroom in his home, though it's unclear if that's where the housekeeper found him. LAPD's elite Robbery Homicide Division responded to his house because this is a high-profile death though they still do not suspect foul play."
At the time of this writing, there has been no update on the cause of Simmons' passing, including on whether his passing was in any way related to the fall.
In the meantime, attention has turned to the social media messages that Simmons posted just before his death.
"Thank you"
In one message, Simmons thanked his fans for all of the well wishes that he received on his birthday.
"Thank you . . . I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting her writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard," he wrote.
Then, in the final message that he posted before his passing, Simmons wrote, "Hello gorgeous! Please don't rain on my parade." People magazine reports that, here, Simmons posted "a photo seemingly of himself in drag."
That was Simmons' last message before he passed. Then, Richard's brother, Lenny Simmons, on Sunday, posted a message telling supporters not to be "sad" about the passing of his brother.
Lenny Simmons wrote:
I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help. So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life! He was very excited about all of the upcoming ventures he was working on. We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time.
