Matthew Perry, known for his role in Friends, passed away due to an accidental overdose of ketamine, as revealed by the autopsy.
At 54 years old, Perry was discovered unconscious in his home’s swimming pool, leading to his passing.
In Los Angeles, the medical examiners announced on Friday that Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing in the popular TV sitcom “Friends,” succumbed to an accidental overdose of ketamine, marking the conclusion of their investigation into the untimely death of the beloved yet troubled television star.
Perry, who passed away at 54, was discovered unconscious in his Los Angeles residence’s swimming pool in October.
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He had grappled with drug addiction, including ketamine, and faced serious health challenges for decades, but reportedly remained drug-free for 19 months leading up to his demise.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office stated, “Matthew Perry’s cause of death is attributed to the acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors in his death include drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects. The manner of death is deemed accidental.”
Illegally sought for its numbing and hallucinogenic properties, ketamine serves as a recreational drug.
Additionally, medical professionals may employ ketamine as an anesthetic, while researchers are investigating its potential applications in mental health treatment.
In his memoirs, Perry disclosed relying on ketamine on a daily basis during certain phases of his struggle with addiction. According to him, the drug provided relief from pain and contributed to alleviating depression.
Expressing his connection to ketamine, Perry wrote, “It has my name written all over it – they might as well have named it ‘Matty.'”
Describing the experience of taking ketamine, he likened it to being struck in the head with a massive, joyous shovel. However, Perry also noted that the aftermath, or hangover, was challenging and surpassed the positive effects of the experience.
Known as “The Big Terrible Thing,”
“Friends” gained immense global popularity as it chronicled the lives of six New Yorkers navigating adulthood and careers. Despite delivering numerous on-air laughs and amassing considerable wealth, Matthew Perry faced internal struggles.
To combat his addiction to painkillers, Perry sought help in multiple rehabilitation clinics. In 2018, he experienced a burst colon related to drug use, leading to several surgeries.
In his memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” published the previous year, Perry recounted undergoing detox numerous times and dedicated the book to “all of the sufferers out there.” He openly expressed the sentiment that he “should be dead” and highlighted his mostly sober lifestyle since 2001, with occasional lapses.
The examiner’s report,
following Perry’s untimely death, did not specify the circumstances of the fatal ketamine dose but noted trace amounts in his stomach. Prescription medications and loose pills were found at his home, and while he was undergoing medical treatment, the last known infusion occurred over a week before his death.
The report revealed ketamine levels in Perry’s blood comparable to those used in surgical anesthesia, potentially causing heart overstimulation and respiratory issues. Perry’s coronary artery disease and buprenorphine use for severe pain made him more susceptible to ketamine’s effects.
The autopsy ruled out alcohol and detected no traces of other drugs like cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl in Perry’s system.
Perry’s sudden demise in October elicited profound reactions from Hollywood A-listers, co-stars, and “Friends” fans globally. Jennifer Aniston, who portrayed Rachel, expressed deep sorrow, emphasizing the tight bond among the cast as “the 6 of us” who formed a chosen family, profoundly influencing their paths. Matt LeBlanc, Perry’s on-screen roommate and best friend, reminisced about the cherished times they shared on the show.
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