Richard Simmons' Mysterious Disappearance Explored In New Documentary

KEY POINTS

Richard Simmons has not been seen in public since Feb. 15, 2014
Suzanne Somers said Simmons may have been riddled with "insecurities"
One conspiracy theory suggests that Simmons was held hostage by his housekeeper

A new documentary examines the mysterious disappearance of Richard Simmons, who stepped away from the limelight eight years ago. In the documentary "TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons," several witnesses share their last encounter with the famed fitness icon and explore the theories about his whereabouts.

While promoting the documentary, TMZ founder Harvey Levin revealed that some of the people interviewed for the documentary suggested that Simmons has not completely disappeared after all.

"We found out he likes going to the beach, he'll go shopping. There has not been a single paparazzi agency... that has gotten anything of Richard Simmons out in public in more than eight years," Levin said, as per ETCanada.

Fitness guru-turned-actress Suzanne Somers, who was interviewed for the documentary, said the fitness icon's insecurities may have a lot to do with his decision to disappear from the public eye.

Somers learned about Simmons' insecurities before he disappeared when somebody told her he did not want to be in the same show as her, the 75-year-old revealed in Monday's episode.

"...I heard through the Larry King people that he didn't want to be on the show with me," Somers said. "I said, 'Why?' and he said, 'She'll make fun of me.'"

That's when I realized a little insecurity has gotten in there. I liked him. I was always so surprised when he thought I'd make fun of him. But doesn't that show you he's got a heartache? Something's broken inside because he did it. He had it and then he let it go," she said.

Simmons had been a fitness star for decades before his disappearance on Feb. 15, 2014, when he suddenly stopped teaching at his workout studio and has not been seen in public ever since.

Before the TMZ documentary, the podcast "Missing Richard Simmons" gave rise to conspiracy theories about the whereabouts of Simmons. One of the most sensational claims was that the fitness expert was being held hostage by his housekeeper in his Hollywood Hills home.

Some theories also suggest that Simmons has spent the last few years transitioning into a woman.

"TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons" premiered on Aug. 22 on FOX.