Beloved ‘Friends’ star, Matthew Perry, passed away due to “acute effects of ketamine,” confirmed the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office on Friday. The 54-year-old actor was found unresponsive in the pool of his Los Angeles home on October 28th and was pronounced dead by paramedics. He had publicly struggled with alcohol and drug addiction.
TMZ reported that Perry, who was open about his battles with addiction, was found in his jacuzzi after law enforcement responded to a call for cardiac arrest around 4 pm local time. He was reported to have died from an “apparent drowning.” Perry had been clean for a significant period before his untimely death, although he previously disclosed not remembering filming three seasons of ‘Friends’ due to his addiction.
According to TMZ, no drugs were found at the scene of the tragedy. The actor had reportedly played pickleball for 2 hours on the morning of his death before being found unresponsive by his assistant, who promptly dialed 911. Unfortunately, Perry was already deceased by the time firefighters arrived at his Pacific Palisades home.
The autopsy report revealed additional contributing factors to his death, including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the impact of buprenorphine, a medication used in treating opioid use disorder. The senior deputy medical examiner explained that the potent levels of ketamine found in Perry’s system led to life-threatening cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression, with drowning being a likely outcome due to losing consciousness.
It was also reported that Perry had been practicing ketamine infusion therapy, with his last treatment happening just one and a half weeks before his death. The coroner noted that the ketamine in his system at the time of his death could not be from that therapy, as ketamine’s half-life is short. Additionally, buprenorphine, found in his system, is a medication used to treat Opioid Use Disorder.
Ketamine, according to People, is a “dissociative anesthetic that has hallucinogenic effects” and is “illegally taken to get high” due to its ability to induce a relaxed or detached state. While it was approved as an anesthetic by the FDA in the 1970s, it is also used as a medication for depression in the form of a nasal spray called esketamine. However, its misuse for recreational purposes is well-documented.
The tragic passing of Matthew Perry has shed light on the dangers of substance abuse and the devastating consequences it can have. His untimely death has left fans mourning the loss of the beloved actor, while also sparking important conversations about the need for ongoing support and resources for those battling addiction. His legacy as a talented performer and his struggles with addiction will leave a lasting impact on those who loved and admired him.
