Matthew Perry’s death: What we know and what we don’t know

As more details emerge about the death of Matthew Perry, questions remain about a frantic phone call made in the aftermath.

The tragic death of Matthew Perry has left friends and fans shocked while also raising a number of questions about the beloved actor’s death.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office is deferring the 54-year-old’s cause of death pending toxicology results and further investigation.

First responders who rushed to Perry’s home after he was found dead in his jacuzzi did not find illegal drugs on the premises, but police sources have since revealed there was a variety of prescription drugs.

Here is what we know – and don’t know – about Perry’s premature death.

HOW DID PERRY DIE?

In the hours before his death, the star had returned home after playing a game of pickleball and sent his assistant out on an errand to pick up a new iPhone and prescription glasses for him.

Two hours later, the assistant found Perry unresponsive in his jacuzzi and called 911.

First responders who rushed to Perry’s home and did not find illegal drugs on the premises.

However, new information from police sources reveals there was a variety of prescription drugs.

Although he the coroner for the Los Angeles County has listed Perry’s cause of death as “deferred”, pending the final results of toxicology tests and further investigation.

THE PICKLEBALL GAME

Perry was reported to have played pickleball – similar to squash – for an hour before returning home to relax. But apparently he had been feeling “fatigued”.

Extra host Billy Bush shared that the actor’s pickleball partner told him Perry had not been himself.

“I spoke to the woman he played with this morning and every morning,” Bush said in a lengthy Instagram post.

“She is in shock, adored Matt … she said he had been fatigued today and over the past week.

“A little more than usual. He played for one hour, then went home.”

Bush mentioned that Perry, who was a top-ranked tennis player in his youth, played the sport “every day and sometimes twice. It regulated his days.”

Matthew Perry’s death has shocked his fans and friends.

WHO WAS MYSTERY WOMAN?

His personal assistant left the 54-year-old actor alone at his home for just two hours while they picked up a new iPhone and prescription glasses for him.

While the name of his employee has not been revealed, the actor had a long-time personal assistant called Briana Brancato, who was also a very close friend.

When the assistant returned to the home they found him unresponsive in the jacuzzi and called 911.

After alerting the emergency services, the assistant called Perry’s mother, Suzanne, and one of his siblings. But then the assistant made a fourth call to a woman who is unrelated to the Friends star, sources told TMZ.

Matthew Perry at a photocall for The End Of Longing, a play which he wrote and starred in on the West End and Broadway in 2016. Picture: Getty Images

THE 911 CALL

The 911 dispatch call made in the minutes after Perry was found revealed major hints about the star’s final moments.

In the 16-second audio, obtained by TMZ, a man can be heard saying “rescue 23” and “drowning.” The clip was bleeped out at certain points.

THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Police sources told TMZ that antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and medication for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) were found in the star’s home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.

COPD is a common lung disease that can be triggered by smoking, causing emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Perry had been open about his heavy smoking habit throughout his life and how he found it impossible to quit cigarettes.

PAST ADDICTION ISSUES

The Hollywood star had been candid about his problems with drugs and alcohol, after first going to rehab in 1997 for what was said to be a pain medication addiction after a jet skiing accident.

He told an interviewer in 2016 that he had no memory of filming three seasons of Friends due to his addictions.

Perry revealed the extent of his addiction in his best-selling 2022 autobiography, which was titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir.

He wrote he had to have 14 surgeries to help repair abdominal damage from his ruptured colon and that he went to rehab 15 times in his bid to kick his addictions.

FINAL EERIE INSTAGRAM POST

Perry’s final Instagram post is of a photo of him sitting in his jacuzzi with headphones on taking in the view beyond.

In the caption he writes: “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I‘m Mattman“.

Many celebrities have since written messages of love under his final post.

Actress Selma Blair wrote: “I’ve got the city tonight, Batman. I’m so sad. I’m so sad Matty. Come find me.”

Jennifer Meyer, close pal to Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, also added a simple message that included three red love hearts.

Matthew Perry's final Instagram post in a jacuzzi days before his death. Picture: Instagram

FANS SAY FINAL POSTS WITH BAT SIGNALS A ‘CALL FOR HELP’

In the lead up to Perry’s tragic death, his final social media posts had his fans worried about him.

The star shared a series of cryptic photos and captions, which included several Batman references and bat-signal images that fans now believe were a cry for help.

On October 17, Perry shared a video featuring a preview screen of Robert Pattinson‘s “The Batman” movie. The clip was accompanied by the caption, “No need to worry everybody, I’ve got the streets tonight.”

Two days later, Perry shared another image of a huge bat logo emblazoned on a wall with red lights. The post‘s caption read, “Sleep well everybody, I’ve got the city tonight – Mattman.”

“Mattman” is an amalgamation of his first name, Matthew, and Batman.

A third post featured a photo with a message that read, “Batman plays Pickleball.” He captioned it, ”WTF,” and then later added in the comment section, “Rest easy. I‘m on a tall building.”

These photos and messages seemed fun and playful at the time, but fans were already showing concern, with one asking, “Does anybody know if there‘s a reason why he’s posting so much about Batman?”

Originally published as Matthew Perry’s death: What we know and what we don’t know