Matthew Perry's ex-fiancée breaks silence after his shock death: 'Caused pain'

Matthew Perry's ex-fiancée Molly Hurwitz has broken her silence following the Friends star's shock passing on Saturday.

The literary manager first started dating Matthew in 2018, with the pair getting engaged in November 2020 and later splitting in June 2021.

Taking to Instagram, Molly wrote, "He would love that the world is talking about how talented he was. And he really was very talented.

"As the Friends reunion was approaching, we rewatched the show together. 'F**k, I was so good!!!… See what I did there???' We rewound and studied scenes. Our respect and appreciation of humor is something that connected us. Being with him as he rediscovered his brilliance was magical."

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She continued, "But, I obviously knew that man in a very different way, too. While I loved him deeper than I could comprehend, he was complicated, and he caused pain like I’d never known.

"No one in my adult life has had a more profound impact on me than Matthew Langford Perry. I have tremendous gratitude for that, for everything I learned from our relationship.

"I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Al Anon, an invaluable resource for those who love someone struggling with this destructive disease."

Molly finished by saying, "Matty, I feel relief that you are at peace."

Matthew's assistant Briana Brancato commented on the photo, writing, "Beautiful tribute Molly. He gave our little gang the gift of family."

Speaking about their relationship after their split, Matthew said, "Sometimes things just don’t work out and this is one of them. I wish Molly the best."

When they got engaged, the actor told People, "I decided to get engaged."

"Luckily, I happened to be dating the greatest woman on the face of the planet at this time."

Matthew's assistant shares tribute

Matthew shared a very close relationship with Briana, who is believed to be the person who found him in his jacuzzi on Saturday, with the actor writing about her in his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing under the pseudonym 'Erin'.

The star described 'Erin' as his 'best friend', saying she 'saved my life', adding that their relationship was never romantic, though she was one of his closest companions.

The pair met when she was working in a rehab clinic he was attending, with Matthew saying he "stole her from that sober living rehab and made her my assistant", adding, "She became my best friend."

Taking to Instagram to share a tribute, Briana wrote, "I've expressed my deepest gratitude to him on numerous occasions, not only for guiding me into a career I cherish but also for allowing me to take care of him for 7 years. Along [with] the countless other experiences I'm thankful for. From witnessing him in his genius to sharing in his worldly adventures living around the world, he took me on a remarkable journey.

"My heart is heavy, but celebrating my memories is the most profound way to honor his legacy."

She added, "I hope that up there, in the great beyond, Mattman is sending us signs. We truly need them. You'll forever be in my heart. I love you Matty."

Matthew devoted the final pages of his memoir to his "best friend", writing, "She's always there when I need her."

"Who knows what I'd do without her; I intend to never find out."

Matthew died on Saturday (LA time) as a result of an apparent drowning after reportedly saying he was more "fatigued" than usual after his daily game of pickleball.

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