Perry was discovered unconscious in a Los Angeles home hot tub on a Saturday, with authorities stating that determining the cause of death may take several weeks or even months, as per experts.
The authorities are currently investigating the untimely death of Matthew Perry, known for his role in “Friends.” Matthew Perry was discovered unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles residence around 4 p.m. on a Saturday, as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department. Tragically, he was pronounced dead by the Los Angeles City Fire Department. He was 54 years old at the time of his passing.
Due to his celebrity status, detectives from the Robbery Homicide division initiated a preliminary inquiry, although no apparent signs of foul play have been identified. However, determining the official cause of Perry’s death is expected to take several weeks or even months, pending the coroner’s comprehensive investigation.
As of now, there is no evidence of trauma associated with his demise. The authorities have made it clear that they have not seen any indications of foul play in their initial examination.
On Monday, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner reported Luke Perry’s cause of death as “deferred,” suggesting a need for further investigation. Subsequently, Perry’s case was removed from their website. The department stated that the investigation was ongoing without providing additional details. Experts warned that it might take several weeks or months to complete the necessary toxicology screenings and examine other evidence.
Luke Perry had been open about his struggles with addiction, resulting in multiple hospitalizations for various health issues. He disclosed spending more than half of his life in treatment and rehab facilities. In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” Perry detailed the health challenges he confronted, including pneumonia, a ruptured colon, a period on life support, a two-week coma, nine months with a colostomy bag, and over half a dozen stomach surgeries in 2018. The exact cause of his death remained pending the coroner’s investigation.
Dr. Judy Melinek, an independent forensic pathologist, has raised important points in a TikTok video regarding the investigation into Perry’s death. She emphasizes the significance of determining whether Perry’s nose and mouth were submerged in water, suggesting a possible drowning scenario. To understand the cause of this drowning, factors such as heart disease or intoxication must be considered. Delays in obtaining test results are attributed to a lack of qualified toxicologists, funding, and equipment.
Dr. Melinek also recommends checking for home security footage to provide insights into the case. Additionally, investigators should examine the hot tub’s safety features, ensuring it was properly grounded and not overheating the water, which could lead to heat exhaustion and dehydration, potentially causing drowning.
Dr. James Gill, Connecticut’s chief medical examiner, underscores the need to distinguish between intentional submersion and an inability to exit the hot tub. The latter scenario might be linked to a heart attack or substance use, leading to loss of consciousness. Both experts emphasize the importance of thorough investigations, which can sometimes extend over several months to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances surrounding Perry’s death.
In cases like this, medical examiners often label the cause of death as “pending” to permit the release of the deceased person to a funeral home for burial or cremation while awaiting the results of toxicology tests. These tests, which can take several weeks to conclude, are crucial in determining the cause of death.
Dr. Kathryn Pinneri, a former president of the National Association of Medical Examiners, pointed out that the authorities have not confirmed if Matthew Perry drowned. Hot tub drownings are typically linked to underlying heart or neurological conditions, alcohol, medications, or drugs. Consequently, the cause and manner of death remain pending until these test results are available.
Matthew Perry rose to fame at the age of 24 when he portrayed the quirky and self-deprecating Chandler Bing on the popular TV show “Friends” alongside Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Jennifer Aniston. The sitcom aired from 1994 to 2004, cementing his celebrity status. Subsequently, Perry featured in various television shows and films, including “Almost Heroes” (1998) with Chris Farley and “Three to Tango” (1999), although some of these projects failed to find success at the box office.
