Years ago, my GF's stupid, drunken, drug-addled sister and her boyfriend pulled a similar stunt with their cat. They couldn't figure out what all the weird noises coming from the dryer were until it was too late. Sorry to hear about your bud's cat.
My pet praying mantis Fred bought it in a tragic oven-preheating accident one fateful Super Bowl Sunday. Seems he burnt his feet when he swooped down to have at the hot dogs that were frying in the electric skillet, and sought refuge in the oven. (The door was open, and I guess he just flew in there). Someone closed the door, to pre-heat the oven before we put the pizzas in. Oops...we found Fred when we opened the door...a baked praying mantis is not a pretty sight. His wake was legendary. We'd had him since he was about an inch long.
At the time of his death, he was about 7"...one big boy. He would hang under the cupboards in the kitchen, upside down, watching our comings and goings. He'd swivel his head back and forth, nothing else moved when he did this. We'd feed him hamburger and other stuff. Chicks would freak comletely out when they saw him. "Did you know there's a giant bug in your kitchen"...we'd say, "oh, that's just Fred...he won't hurt you." This is an absolutely true story.