What LAPD Found When They Visited Richard Simmons

That he's 'perfectly fine,' they say, though some remain unconvinced
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 10, 2017 6:55 AM CST
LAPD: Richard Simmons Is 'Perfectly Fine'
Richard Simmons in a June 2006 photo.   (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg, File)

Tales about Richard Simmons that portray him as a weak, scared captive kept prisoner by his own housekeeper are a lot more dramatic than what the LAPD says is the real story: that he's simply living quietly at home out of the public eye. Detective Kevin Becker tells People that officers headed to the fitness star's home in response to rumors that Simmons was being kept against his will. "None of it is true," Becker says, adding Simmons is "perfectly fine," "very happy," and "doing exactly what he wants to do." Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the cops' visit to Simmons' Hollywood Hills home took place about two weeks ago after at least one person phoned in a hostage accusation.

Still, some continue to insist this isn't like the Simmons they used to know. Mauro Oliveira, a pal who spoke on last week's Missing Richard Simmons podcast, tells Entertainment Tonight that Simmons was always a "people's person" but doesn't entertain anymore. Oliveira says he doesn't know why the 68-year-old has decided to "completely abandon the world" and notes, "His fans are suffering," adding Simmons should make a YouTube video to let everyone see he's OK. Meanwhile, Lenny Simmons, Richard's brother, is reportedly the next to dish on a new edition of the podcast, set to air next week, per Radar, saying in a clip: "He's not angry with anybody. I don't understand it." Read more on last week's podcast here. (More Richard Simmons stories.)

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