Matthew Perry’s cause of death updated by LA coroner in first official statement after frantic 911 call revealed
MATTHEW Perry’s cause of death has been deferred as coroners wait for the final results of his toxicology tests.
The actor, who played Chandler Bing in Friends, was found dead in his hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Saturday.
Perry is believed to have drowned, but law enforcement sources told TMZ that first responders were scrambled for a cardiac arrest.
His cause of death has been deferred, meaning medical examiners need more time to investigate.
Perry’s cause of death remains unknown but there were no signs of foul play.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner told People that the toxicology reports may take weeks to arrive.
They told The Hollywood Reporter: “Deferred means that after an autopsy, a cause of death has not been determined and the medical examiner is requesting more investigation into the death, including additional studies.”
Perry’s assistant made a frantic 911 call after the actor suffered a cardiac arrest.
The dispatch audio clip, which was only 15 seconds, referred to a drowning – an Emergency Medical Situation 9.
A first responder says: “Agent 23. Rescue 23. EMS 9 on the radio. In response to the drowning.”
Perry’s body is ready to be released to his family, which means that they can start making funeral arrangements.
Cops swooped on the plush home and no narcotics were found at the scene.
Authorities did find anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and a drug for chronic pulmonary disease.
It has emerged that Perry played the racquet sport pickleball on the morning of his death.
His pickleball partner, a female pal, reportedly told the radio host Billy Bush that Perry had been “fatigued.”
Bush wrote on Instagram: “I spoke to the woman he played with this morning and every morning.
“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.”
But, Perry was said to be in good spirits as he played at the Riviera Country Club near his home in the Pacific Palisades region.
Country club members said Matthew had also practiced with a male friend.
One said: “He was hitting with a guy yesterday who is well-known here. I’ve spoken to him, he’s fairly upset.”
Perry’s family has said they have been left “heartbroken” by Matthew’s death.
They told People: “Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend.
“You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
The Friends cast are said to be “reeling” from Perry’s death.
Perry’s former co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow are “devastated” by his death, sources told Page Six.
They are currently preparing to release a joint statement, according to the outlet.
The source said: “The entire cast are close, they will be devastated because they were together through the best of times and worst of times.
“And when Matty was sick, they protected him, they looked him after him fiercely.”
Friends star Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice Hosenstein, paid tribute to Perry on Instagram.
She captioned her post: “What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry.
“The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
A year before his death, Perry opened up about his previous battles with drugs and alcohol in his memoir Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing.