How Matthew Perry died: the first details of his autopsy

Many questions remain about Matthew Perry's death
Star from one of the biggest sitcoms
Matthew Perry died at age 54
In broad daylight, in his jacuzzi
Speculation about his cause of death
Substances found in his body?
Only a little bit of information released for now
Cause of death 'deferred... pending additional investigation'
Will it take months?
Or only a few weeks to find out what happened?
No suspicious products in the house
No signs of a crime
Antidepressants and anxiolytics
A brand new villa
He had been home alone for just a little while
A fateful few minutes
Waiting for the full report...
...to put an end to speculation
Many questions remain about Matthew Perry's death

The famous actor Matthew Perry, 54 years old, suddenly passed away on October 28, 2023.

Star from one of the biggest sitcoms

Many knew him as Chandler Bing from the iconic sitcom 'Friends'.

(Here we see him with a guest actress of the show, Julia Roberts)

Matthew Perry died at age 54

The age of the actor, his past with substance abuse, and his allegedly healthy state at the final years of his life caused major confusion about what would have caused Matthew Perry's death.

In broad daylight, in his jacuzzi

The first news was that the actor had been found unconscious in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home. His personal assistant encountered him in the tub around four in the afternoon. Perry could not be resuscitated.

Speculation about his cause of death

Immediately after the news broke, speculation about his death focused on a possible use of illegal substances. Journalists and fans indicated that this may have led to him drowning in his jacuzzi.

Substances found in his body?

However, TMZ was quick to deny that there were traces of fentanyl or methamphetamine in the actor's body. The news outlet got this information from a preliminary autopsy report.

Only a little bit of information released for now

TMZ also reported that that was the only result the autopsy released so far.

Cause of death 'deferred... pending additional investigation'

In fact, as People magazine read in the official records, "the status of Perry's cause of death currently listed as 'deferred' since it's 'pending additional investigation.'

 

Will it take months?

TMZ suggests that it could take 4 to 6 months to complete the autopsy and determine the actor's cause of death with certainty.

Or only a few weeks to find out what happened?

People magazine, however, noted that the only thing lacking in the autopsy was the full toxicology report. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed to the outlet on Sunday, November 5, "that an autopsy has been completed and results are pending a toxicology report, which can take weeks to come through."

No suspicious products in the house

Previously, TMZ had already noted that upon finding the body, police had looked for illegal substances in the mansion and not found any.

No signs of a crime

Nor did the police see any signs of violence or self-harm. "The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is handling Perry's death investigation," People reports, "and 'foul play is not suspected at this time.'"

Antidepressants and anxiolytics

What police did find, was a number of prescription drugs, including antidepressants and anxiolytics, suggesting that the actor had some mental issues. However, many people have these kinds of medication in their homes.

A brand new villa

For the moment we do know that Matthew Perry had moved into his new villa in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, less than a month ago and that he was alone at the time of his death.

He had been home alone for just a little while

He was alone at the house, TMZ reported, because he sent his assistant out to buy a new iPhone and glasses. When the assistant returned, the actor was lying in the hot tub, lifeless. His body was not completely submerged in the water.

A fateful few minutes

Reporters have deduced from this scene that the actor's lifeless body was only in the water for a little while by the time his assistant arrived. Perhaps, if his employee had been there a few minutes earlier, the story would have ended differently.

Waiting for the full report...

Upon further questions from news media, police "declined to comment on what may or may not have been recovered on the scene, as 'the investigation is ongoing,'" People magazine says.

 

...to put an end to speculation

While we await the final medical examiner's report, theories about Matthew Perry's death are likely to continue to circulate. It would be best if a definite, reliable explanation arrived as soon as possible.