The official cause of actor Matthew Perry’s death has been attributed to an accident resulting from the “acute effects of ketamine,” as confirmed by medical authorities in Los Angeles.
The acclaimed actor was discovered unresponsive in the pool of his Los Angeles residence in October. However, the initial post-mortem examination provided inconclusive results, with drowning identified as a contributing factor to his passing.
Matthew Perry rose to fame for his portrayal of the quick-witted Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom Friends, which depicted the lives of six friends in New York City from 1994 to 2004. The show’s finale, watched by 52.5 million viewers in the US, remains the most-watched TV episode of the 2000s.
Amid the peak of his career, Perry grappled with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, undergoing rehabilitation on multiple occasions. In a 2016 interview with BBC Radio 2, he disclosed a three-year memory lapse during the filming of Friends due to substance abuse.
Despite numerous attempts at treatment, Perry, as detailed in his memoir, asserted his sobriety since 2001, aside from occasional relapses.
The 54-year-old actor’s death was also linked to coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used in the treatment of opioid use disorder, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
Senior deputy medical examiner Raffi Djabourian clarified that the heightened ketamine levels in Perry’s post-mortem blood specimens could result in lethal effects, primarily cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression. Drowning was considered a contributing factor due to the likelihood of submersion in the pool while unconscious.
Perry was discovered unresponsive on October 28, and paramedics declared his death upon arrival. The medical examiner’s office initially deferred the case for additional details.
Fellow Friends actors paid tribute to Perry, with Jennifer Aniston expressing the emotional challenge of bidding farewell to “our Matty.” David Schwimmer extended gratitude to Perry for a decade of laughter and creativity.
Following a private funeral in November, Perry was laid to rest in an LA cemetery. His filmography included roles in The Whole Nine Yards, The Whole Ten Yards with Bruce Willis, and the romantic comedy Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek. Additionally, he wrote a play in 2016 called The End of Longing, delving into characters’ pursuits of love and commitment.
