By Mark Gray
6:01am PDT, Nov 4, 2023
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When it comes to high-profile cases within the Los Angeles Police Department's jurisdiction, it's standard operating procedure for the Robbery Homicide Division to get involved and make sure nothing nefarious took place. The division has the experience and necessary manpower to handle media-intensive situations like Matthew Perry's death.
Coincidentally, the same division investigated Michael Jackson's death, which was ultimately deemed a homicide.
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Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub in his backyard in Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades area on Oct. 28. He appeared to have drowned.
According to TMZ, Matthew played pickleball that morning then sent his assistant on an errand after he returned home. When the assistant arrived back at the house, he found the "Friends" star unresponsive and called 911.
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Although Matthew Perry had a history of substance abuse and addiction issues, no illicit drugs were found on the premises, TMZ reported. Authorities did find anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and a medication for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease — which is often used by people with emphysema or chronic bronchitis — at Matthew's home. (The "17 Again" actor was a cigarette smoker for much of his life.)
A toxicology report will determine what, if anything, he had in his system when he died, but it will be weeks before the coroner's office can share its findings.
An autopsy has already been completed.
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During a 2022 interview with podcaster Tom Power to promote his memoir, "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing," Matthew Perry spoke about how he wanted to be remembered — and it wasn't for his work on screen.
"I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life. I'm still working through it personally, but the best thing about me is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says, 'Will you help me?' I will always say, 'Yes, I know how to do that. I will do that for you, even if I can't always do it for myself.' So I do that wherever I can — in groups or one on one," he said. "And I created the Perry House in Malibu, a sober-living facility for men. I also wrote my play, 'The End of Longing,' which is a personal message to the world, an exaggerated form of me as a drunk. I had something important to say to people like me and to people who love people like me."
"When I die, I know people will talk about 'Friends,' 'Friends,' 'Friends' — and I'm glad of that, happy I've done some solid work as an actor, as well as given people multiple chances to make fun of my struggles on the world wide web," he continued. "But when I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if 'Friends' were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people. I know it won't happen, but it would be nice."
