Matthew Perry’s Death Ruled as an Accidental Result of Ketamine Effects
Medical officials in Los Angeles have officially confirmed that actor Matthew Perry’s death in October was an accident caused by the “acute effects of ketamine.” The Friends star, known for his role as Chandler Bing, was found unresponsive in the pool of his Los Angeles home, and drowning was listed as a contributing factor to his death.
The post-mortem examination was inconclusive at the time of discovery, but recent statements from the LA County medical examiner have clarified the circumstances surrounding Perry’s passing. In addition to ketamine, contributing factors included coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
Matthew Perry, who rose to fame with the iconic sitcom Friends, battled addiction issues during the height of his career, seeking rehabilitation multiple times for addiction to painkillers and alcohol. The actor openly discussed his struggles, revealing that he couldn’t recall three years of filming Friends due to substance abuse.
His memoir detailed his journey towards sobriety, noting that he had been mostly sober since 2001, with occasional setbacks. Perry’s death at the age of 54 prompted tributes from his Friends co-stars, with Jennifer Aniston expressing the emotional challenge of saying goodbye to “our Matty.”
The medical examiner’s statement highlighted that at the elevated levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression. The role of drowning was emphasised due to the likelihood of submersion in the pool as Perry lapsed into unconsciousness.
Matthew Perry’s contributions extended beyond Friends, with roles in films such as The Whole Nine Yards and its sequel, The Whole Ten Yards, alongside Bruce Willis. He played the lead in the romantic comedy Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek and starred as the older Zac Efron in 17 Again. Perry also showcased his creativity by writing a play titled The End of Longing in 2016, exploring characters’ quests for love and commitment.
The actor was laid to rest at an LA cemetery following a private funeral, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
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