New Owner of Home Where Matthew Perry Died Vows to Honor His 'Joy,' Will Keep Batman Logo in Pool
The late actor’s home was officially sold for $8.5 million nearly one year after his sudden death on Oct. 28, 2023
The buyer of Matthew Perry’s Los Angeles home is sharing why she decided to purchase the property one year after the actor’s death.
Anita Verma-Lallian, a movie producer and real estate developer, bought the Pacific Palisades home where the late Friends star died, but she isn't worried about any stigma attached to the address or negative energy in the home.
“We are so excited to share that we bought a home in Los Angeles earlier this month! Our agent, Brooke Elliot, said she had an amazing 'off-market' property that she really wanted us to see," she wrote in an Instagram post shared on Thursday, Oct. 31. "The moment I walked into the home, I absolutely fell in love with the features, especially the view of the Pacific Ocean. We knew it was 'the one' and decided to write an offer on it immediately."
Related: Matthew Perry's Hollywood Hills Home Gets $500K Price Cut Nearly a Year After His Death: See Photos
Verma-Lallian adds she did not let the house's tragic past cloud her judgment about its possible future.
“As a real estate developer myself, I believe every property has a history that we may or may not know about, and every home carries the energy that the current owner brings to it. I am Hindu, and it’s customary to do a blessing and prayer anytime you buy a new home. We were so lucky to have our Panditji from Arizona come to the house to do the blessing."
Referring to Perry, she continues, "We chose to honor the positive aspects of the previous owner’s life, his immense talent, and all the joy he brought to so many people. The decision to purchase the home had nothing to do with the previous owner, just our love of the home."
While Verma-Lallian says she'll make some aesthetic changes to the house, she notes the home's most unique element isn't going anywhere.
“We do plan to keep some of the design elements. The batman logo in the pool is definitely staying," she shares. "It’s a piece of paradise that is filled with light and the perfect vacation home for us. Can’t wait to make new memories in it.”
She concludes the post: "Wish you all a very Happy Diwali!! May the new year be flowing with peace, joy, and prosperity."
PEOPLE previously confirmed that Perry’s L.A. home was sold for $8.55 million in an off-market deal nearly one year after his death on Oct. 28, 2023. Greg Holcombe of Carolwood Estates held the listing for Perry’s estate, while Verma-Lallian was represented by Brooke Elliott Laurinkus of Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California.
Perry purchased the property for $6 million in 2020, according to the New York Times. Its 3,500 square feet hold four bedrooms and four full bathrooms, per the outlet.
A source previously told PEOPLE exclusively that the late actor had just made renovations to the house and that he "was incredibly happy" there prior to his death. Perry had referred to his home as “heaven,” the source added.
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Perry died from acute effects of the prescription drug ketamine at the age of 54, according to an autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE in December 2023. Contributing factors in the actor’s death, per the autopsy, included drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder).
In May 2024, authorities launched a formal investigation to determine where the actor got the powerful medication, and later in August, five people were charged and arrested in connection with Perry’s death. Those charged were two doctors, a woman known as "The Ketamine Queen" and Perry’s personal live-in assistant.