The autopsy report of Matthew Perry (54) is out and the doctors have revealed that he died from the effects of ketamine (a type of anesthetic).
Who is Matthew Perry ?
Matthew Perry is a Canadian-American actor, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the immensely popular television sitcom “Friends.”
Perry’s breakthrough came with his role as Chandler Bing on the television series “Friends,” which aired from 1994 to 2004. He received critical acclaim for his depiction of the sarcastic and witty character. Besides “Friends,” Perry has been part of various television shows and movies. Remarkable mentions include “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “The Odd Couple,” and “The West Wing.”
Perry has also ventured into stage acting. He performed in the play “The End of Longing,” which he also wrote, in 2016. Matthew Perry was part of the highly anticipated “Friends” reunion special, which was released in 2021 on the streaming service HBO Max.
About Perry’s Passing
Matthew Perry has been open about his struggles with substance abuse, particularly during his time on “Friends.” In recent years, he has been an advocate for addiction recovery. In his 2022 memoir, he expressed his deep affection for every aspect of the show. He also added, Additionally, he stated, “Yet, my continual battle with addictions intensified my sense of shame. I harbored a secret that I couldn’t share with anyone.”
Reports have revealed that Perry received ketamine infusion therapy for depression every other day for a while. However, he had tapered down his sessions, with his latest infusion occurring about a week and a half before his passing.
In the autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, it was revealed that Matthew Perry’s death on October 28 was determined to be an accident. The report cited drowning in “the heated section of his pool” as a secondary factor, with coronary artery disease and the presence of buprenorphine, A medication prescribed for opioid disorder, which also lead to his passing.
Perry was discovered unresponsive at his residence in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles and was subsequently pronounced dead. The autopsy, conducted the following day, disclosed that despite a history of drug use, he had reportedly remained clean for 19 months leading up to his demise.
The actor had undergone ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, with his last treatment occurring approximately 1 1/2 weeks prior to his tragic death.
Perry engaged in a game of pickleball earlier in the day, as reported. Upon the assistant’s return from errands, Perry was discovered face down in the pool at his residence. The assistant informed investigators that Perry had not exhibited signs of illness, had not voiced any health concerns, and had not displayed indications of recent alcohol or drug consumption.
Tribute from friends and fans
In the weeks following his passing, fellow actors from “Friends” paid heartfelt tributes to Matthew Perry. Jennifer Aniston, known for her role as Rachel, expressed the profound emotional journey of bidding farewell to Perry, describing it as an “insane wave of emotions” unlike any she had experienced before.
David Schwimmer, who portrayed Ross, extended gratitude to Perry for a decade of incredible laughter and creativity, also stating “I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You have the knack for transforming a straightforward line of dialogue into something entirely fresh and unexpectedly humorous, leaving everyone amazed.”
Courtney Cox expressed her gratitude for her time with Perry in an Instagram post, stating, “Every moment I shared with you, Matty, is cherished, and I miss you daily. When working closely with someone like Matthew, there are countless moments I wish I could relive.”
Meanwhile, Matt LeBlanc, who portrayed Perry’s best friend Joey Tribbiani in FRIENDS, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram on November 14, saying, “With a heavy heart, I bid farewell. The moments we shared are honestly some of the most cherished times of my life.”
Fans of Matthew Perry united not only to grieve the passing of the actor but also to commemorate him as a cherished “family” member a day after he passed. Hundreds of admirers from across the globe braved the rainy weather in New York City to pay their respects at the apartment building where Perry’s character, Chandler Bing, resided in the television show “Friends.”
In a touching display of affection along the streetlight at the building’s corner in Manhattan’s West Village, Perry’s life was celebrated with bouquets of flowers, heartfelt handwritten notes, and even packs of gum, paying homage to one of Chandler’s memorable lines — “You know on second thought, gum would be perfection” — uttered in a scene with model Jill Goodacre.
