The untimely death of Matthew Perry, renowned for his role in the sitcom “Friends,” has been officially attributed to the ‘acute effects of ketamine,’ as per the autopsy report from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office. The report classified his death on October 28 as an accident, citing additional contributing factors including ‘drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine.’
The statement from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) read: “The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder). The manner of death is accident.”
On the fateful day of his death, Perry was discovered unresponsive in his pool around 4:00 PM. Despite the immediate response of paramedics following a 911 call, Perry was pronounced dead at the scene. The DME conducted a thorough investigation at the scene before transporting Perry’s body for an autopsy, which was completed on October 29. The final cause and manner of death were certified following the receipt of relevant test results.
Perry, who had been vocal about the dangers of alcoholism, was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression at the time of his death, a treatment he had discussed in his book “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” Ketamine, commonly used as a general anesthetic, can induce a dream-like state, relaxation, and happiness, but it also has the potential to cause confusion and nausea.
The medical examiner’s report noted that Perry’s last ketamine infusion occurred approximately a week and a half before his death. The presence of ketamine in his stomach suggested recent intake, as it typically remains in the system for only three to four hours. The report did not identify the exact method of intake but mentioned the absence of new needle marks on Perry’s body, ruling out injection as a method.
The ketamine in Perry’s system likely overstimulated his heart and depressed his breathing, leading to unconsciousness and his subsequent drowning in the hot tub. The autopsy confirmed that Perry had been sober for 19 months prior to his death, with no known substance abuse relapses during that time. No alcohol, illicit drugs, or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing Perry playing pickleball hours before his death, and those close to him described him as being in ‘good spirits’ in the days leading up to the tragic event. The loss of Matthew Perry has resonated deeply with fans and colleagues alike, leaving a void in the entertainment world and bringing to light the complexities surrounding mental health and substance use treatments.
