The LAFD has released a statement that has revealed further harrowing details about Matthew Parry’s death.
On Saturday at approximately 4PM, law enforcement was called to the 54-year-old’s home in Los Angeles after reports of a “water emergency.”
It was later reported by multiple outlets that Perry had succumbed to an apparent drowning in a hot tub.
Speaking to PEOPLE in the aftermath of the tragedy, his family stated that they are “heartbroken.”
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” the family said in the statement. “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,” they added.
Just a day later, the Los Angeles Fire Department has now uncovered some further details about the incident, which has just made the situation all the more devastating.
In a statement to CNN, they revealed that emergency responders found Perry “unconscious in a stand-alone jacuzzi” when they were called to his home on Saturday.
When asked about the incident at Perry’s address, a spokesperson for the department told the outlet that “a bystander had brought the man’s head above the water and gotten him to the edge, then Firefighters removed him from the water upon their arrival.”
“A rapid medical assessment, sadly, revealed the man was deceased prior to first responder arrival,” they added.
Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on in the iconic sitcom Friends, which ran from 1994 until 2004, alongside Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt Le Blanc, and Jennifer Aniston, having joined the cast at just 24 years old.
Upon hearing of the incident, the stars paid tribute to Perry in a joint statement to PEOPLE.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their statement read. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the statement continues. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Fans also took to the famous Friends apartment in New York City to leave their own personal tribiutes for the star, who clearly meant a lot to so many people. At the bottom of the intersection’s stop sign, outside the well-known apartment building exterior used as an establishing shot throughout the show’s 10 seasons, now lays a beautiful collection of bouquets and several handwritten notes.
“All I knew is that whenever I had big feelings, I could pop in a VHS boxset of a given season in the VCR and not just feel okay, but even laugh,” reads one note as per the Independent. “As reliable as a true friend, 20 years later, Friends is still my comfort show. Thank you, Matty, for making me feel peace and joy, from middle school to my mid-thirties.”
“Friends was the answer and solution for my anxiety before I even had a word for that feeling,” another wrote on sharpie on a cardboard cutout.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Perry’s family, friends and fans during this difficult time.