A dramatic 15-second 911 call that sent first responders to Matthew Perry’s Los Angeles home referred to “drowning,” an audio recording shows.
Perry’s assistant made an urgent 911 call, which was not made public, after the Friends star suffered cardiac arrest in his hot tub on Saturday.
Now a recording has been shared of the moment emergency responders rushed to the scene, describing a drowning – known as Medical Emergency 9.
In a chilling recording of the report, in which certain words stand out, a first responder says, “Agent 23. Rescue 23. EMS 9 on the radio.” In response to the drowning.’
The 54-year-old “Friends” star was found dead at his home in the exclusive Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Saturday, and tributes have been pouring in since then.
The Los Angeles County coroner has classified Matthew Perry’s cause of death as “deferred,” pending final toxicology test results.
Matthew Perry is pictured on October 22 – the last time he was seen in public. His cause of death is being deferred pending toxicology testing
Aerial photos show Perry’s pool and hot tub where he was found dead Saturday
Coroners are seen removing Perry’s body from his home in LA on Saturday evening
In his latest post on Instagram, which he shared earlier this week, the star shared pictures of himself in his pool
On Sunday afternoon, the coroner released his body to the family but said the cause of death had not yet been determined.
The coroner’s office may release initial results within a few days, or it may take six to eight weeks to receive final results of toxicology tests.
An LAPD source told the New York Post, “We responded to the 1800 block of Blue Sail Rd at 4:10 this afternoon for a death investigation involving a man. ‘He was in his 50s.’
No drugs were found at the scene and authorities have ruled out foul play.
Sources said antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications were found at the property, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pills.
Friends have said the star appeared “tired” in his final days, and in his latest post on Instagram, which he shared earlier this week, he posted pictures of himself in his pool.
The caption read: ‘Oh, water so warm swirling around makes you feel good?’ I’m Mattman.’
Perry had long struggled with drugs and alcohol, was a smoker and had several health problems.
Perry wrote in his memoirs published last year that he spent $9 million trying to get sober, revealing that he attended 6,000 AA meetings, went to rehab 15 times and detoxed 65 times have.
After Perry’s death, pictures emerged showing the pool and hot tub at the Friends star’s home (pictured)
The coroner is seen arriving at Perry’s property on Saturday evening
Matthew Perry’s father, John Bennett Perry, 82, was seen frantically arriving at his son’s LA home just hours after the Friends star died
A jet ski accident in 1997 on the set of his film “Fools Rush In” left him hospitalized and later became addicted to the opioid painkiller Vicodin.
He said he took 55 Vicodin tablets once a day and his weight dropped to 128 pounds.
In 2000 he was hospitalized with pancreatitis and in 2018 his colon ruptured.
“The doctors told my family I had a 2% chance of survival,” Perry told Diane Sawyer during a promotional interview for his book.
“I was put on something called an ECMO machine, which does all the breathing for your heart and lungs. And that’s called Hail Mary. Nobody survives this.’
Perry was in a coma for nearly two weeks and in the hospital for five months, then used a colostomy bag for nine months.
He said he overcame the addiction in 2021 and is believed to be living a healthier lifestyle.
He had taken up pickle ball – a game similar to tennis and table tennis – and usually played it twice a day, friends said.
Although Perry normally played the game twice a day, on Saturday he stayed on the course at his local country club for just an hour before heading home, his regular partner told television host Billy Bush.
‘[Pickleball] “Regulated his days,” Bush said. “I spoke to the woman he played with this morning and every morning.” She’s in shock, idolized Matt… she said he was tired today and for the last week. A little more than usual.’
Perry plays pickleball on October 22nd in Santa Monica
Perry became famous for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit 90s sitcom “Friends,” which ran for ten seasons
Perry, who never married but dated a number of stars including Julia Roberts, has been open and public about his problems with drugs and alcohol.
He told an interviewer in 2016 that he didn’t remember filming three seasons of Friends.
Although Perry hid his demons from the public for years, he detailed his struggles in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing.
He began by writing: “Hello, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name.” My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.’
He added: “People would be surprised to know that I have been sober for the most part since 2001. Apart from about sixty or seventy little mishaps over the years.”
A long-time friend of Perry’s who was in recovery with him told last night: “Everyone is in complete shock.” People are crying on the phone and struggling to accept the news.
“It’s no secret that he has struggled with drugs and alcohol for years, but the last time I spoke to him, which was a few weeks ago, he seemed to be doing well.”
“He was upbeat and sounded sober and positive.”
“He was in rehab 17 times and almost died from opioid abuse, but he was someone who was sincere about taking his own life and losing his sobriety every day.”
“This is such tragic news.” Everyone is praying that he doesn’t relapse. Matt was a really nice guy. He was always the first to welcome newcomers to the group and was always willing to help and assist.
“We are all finding it difficult to come to terms with this terrible news.”