Matthew Perry death investigation could take 3-6 months to complete, new statement suggests
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reiterated Thursday that the investigation into the death of Matthew Perry could take several months.
Toxicology tests, in particular, typically take three to six months to complete, coroner’s officials said in a statement.
Authorities received a medical call from Perry’s home overlooking the Pacific Ocean around 4 p.m. Saturday reporting that the actor, who was in a hot tub, was unresponsive and not breathing.
The “Friends” star was declared dead at the scene, and officials say they are now working to determine a cause of death. Foul play has been ruled out.
Experts say determining the actor’s cause of death will take time and include a team of physicians and investigators working out of the L.A. County coroner’s office.
“At this time, most toxicology testing is completed within 90 days at the Department of the Medical Examiner,” the office said in a statement released Thursday. “We currently have 15 (3%) cases that have been pending for more than 90 days.”
The statement did not mention Perry by name but came after questions about the timeline of the investigation.
No cause of death has been determined. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office has launched an investigation, which will likely take months and include toxicology tests.
“Postmortem toxicology testing is a multistep process, not a one-instrument test as seen in the clinical setting,” coroner’s officials said in the statement. “Postmortem samples are coagulated and require extraction steps before a sample can be used on an instrument. Each class of drugs requires the use of multiple instruments to test the sample. The more drugs found in a decedent’s system, the longer the testing takes.”
Law enforcement sources told The Times that no illicit drugs were found at Perry’s home.
HBO’s Max added a tribute to actor Matthew Perry after he died Saturday. It is now displayed at the beginning of each ‘Friends’ season.
One law enforcement source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said any prescription medications recovered at the actor’s home will be part of the review, which is common practice.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
