Why Matthew Perry's Death Investigation Is 'Pending'

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Matthew Perry

Following Matthew Perry's untimely death on Saturday, Oct. 28, multiple outlets reported the Friends actor, 54, died of an apparent drowning, as he was reportedly found in a hot tub. Shock and sorrow ensued, and a lingering question remains: What was his official cause of death?

Unfortunately, for loved ones and fans, Perry's death investigation is currently pending—and results could still take several weeks.

On Sunday, Oct. 29, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed to People that Perry's autopsy is complete with results pending a toxicology report. An online record lists Perry's cause of death as "deferred" because it is "pending additional investigation," the publication noted.

The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division is handling the investigation, and "foul play is not suspected at this time."

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Emergency personnel responded to a "water emergency" call at 4:07 p.m. local time on Saturday at Perry's Los Angeles home, NBC News reported. The Los Angeles Times reported that no illicit drugs were found at the scene, however, prescription medications were recovered.

In his 2022 book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, Perry detailed his decades-long struggle with alcohol and substance abuse.

Perry was best known for playing Chandler Bing for 10 seasons of the beloved NBC sitcom. He starred in Friends from 1994 to 2004 alongside Jennifer AnistonCourteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.

Additionally, Perry appeared in other TV shows like Growing Pains, Beverly Hills, 90210, The West Wing and Scrubs, and films like 17 Again, The Whole Nine Yards and Serving Sara.

Next: Matthew Perry Dead: 'Friends' Cast Breaks Silence on His Untimely Passing