'Friends' actor Matthew Perry was not on Jeffrey Epstein's flight logs | Fact check

The claim: Matthew Perry was killed because he was on the list for Epstein Island

An Oct. 29 Instagram video (direct link, archived link) shows a spreadsheet of celebrities' names, including the late actor Matthew Perry. The column that includes his name is marked with a red highlight and a label that says "arrested and executed."

“So hold up, was he killed,” text on the screen reads.

The Instagram post’s caption connects the death to an infamous sex trafficking operation: “In case you have questions, here is proof, Matthew Perry was on the list to Epstein Island.”

The post was liked more than 200 times in two days.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

Police have said there was no evidence of foul play in Perry's death. Nor is there evidence that he visited Epstein Island, the retreat used in connection with a long-running sex trafficking operation. Perry's name does not appear on the flight log of Jeffrey Epstein's private plane.

List in social media video is not Epstein's flight log

On Oct. 28, Perry was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. The “Friends” actor, well remembered for his comedic role as Chandler Bing, was 54 years old.

Perry’s cause of death has yet to be determined, but police stated there was no evidence of foul play. There are no reputable reports of a connection with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on federal charges of trafficking minor girls. The registered sex offender pleaded not guilty. A month later, he was found dead by suicide in his jail cell.

In December 2021, the flight logs of Epstein’s private jet became public during the trial of former socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime companion who was found guilty of conspiring with him to sexually abuse children.

Some celebrities, including former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, were found to be on Epstein’s flight logs. USA TODAY has debunked an array of claims that falsely tie other celebrities to the log.

A USA TODAY review of the Epstein flight logs found Perry’s name does not appear.

Fact check: Blue and white McDonald's wrappers are long-running extras, not Israel support

The list in the post originates from a TikTok video claiming that Perry was among others who were “arrested and executed.” Others on that list include Perry’s “Friends” costars Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, the Kardashian sisters and even Queen Letizia of Spain.

That list is not the official flight log and has no basis in reality, listing people as arrested and executed who are alive and free. The link shown above the video is from a website for the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory, which claims there is a satanic cabal of global elites taking part in an international child sex trafficking ring.

USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

• CNN, updated Oct. 30, Medical examiner indicates additional investigation required in death of actor Matthew Perry

• The New York Times, Oct. 30, Matthew Perry’s Cause of Death Remains Under Investigation

• Insider, Dec. 21, 2021, Jeffrey Epstein's private jet flight records revealed in Ghislaine Maxwell trial

• Department of Justice, June 28, 2022, Ghislaine Maxwell Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison For Conspiring With Jeffrey Epstein To Sexually Abuse Minors

• USA v. Maxwell, accessed Oct. 30, Epstein flight logs

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Perry's death not tied to Epstein's flight logs | Fact check