The woman Matthew Perry was seen out with one day before his untimely death has been identified as Athenna Crosby.
The 25-year-old model and entertainment reporter came forward on Instagram Tuesday, revealing that she was “one of the last people” to see and speak to the “Friends” star before he was found dead Saturday.
“I wasn’t going to speak about this but what I will say is I had the honor of knowing Matthew personally,” she wrote on her Stories alongside a black-and-white picture of Perry.
“I am so devastated from his death but felt it was in poor taste to talk about it publicly as the attention should not be on me but rather on him and his legacy and he was an extremely private person and I always respected that in our friendship.”
Crosby concluded, “But indeed, we were friends and I was one of the last people to speak to him and see him before he passed.”
In a follow-up post, the Venezuelan beauty shared how the late actor was feeling during their lunch date last Friday at the Hotel Bel-Air.
“I want to emphasize that Matthew was in extremely good spirits and talked to me enthusiastically about the things he had coming up in his life,” she wrote. “He was so happy and vibrant.”
Crosby then urged fans to “refrain from any speculation surrounding his death” for the time being.
“Know that man was on a comeback and truly deserved more time on this earth,” she wrote. “Our entertainment industry has truly lost a legend. RIP.”
Photos emerged Tuesday of the “17 Again” star and Crosby having a conversation while sitting at a circular table.
TMZ reported that Perry was so engaged in the chat that barely touched his meal or drink.
The outing came just 24 hours before the “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing” author was found dead in his jacuzzi by his assistant at his home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was 54.
Per the outlet, illegal drugs were not found on the premises, but prescription drugs — including antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs and a COPD drug — were on site.
Perry’s autopsy was completed over the weekend; however, his cause of death has been listed as “deferred” until the toxicology results come in.
The “Fools Rush In” star’s death was not the result of fentanyl or meth, law enforcement sources told TMZ Wednesday.
Perry, who rose to fame playing Chandler Bing on the popular ’90s sitcom “Friends,” was honored by his co-stars in a joint statement following his death.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc told People Tuesday.
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able,” the co-stars continued. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
