Matthew Perry’s death ruled accidental; Friends actor died of ‘acute effects of Ketamine’

The reasons listed in the report are drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

December 16, 2023 - 7:05 PM IST

Popular Hollywood actor Matthew Perry, known for his beloved character Chandler Bing in Friends, passed away on Saturday, October 28. The actor was 54 and was found dead at his Los Angeles-area home. As per the TMZ report, the actor was found in a jacuzzi at the residence, and the first responders were immediately called for cardiac arrest. However, no foul play was reported, and no drugs were found at the scene. He was laid to rest on November 3, during a private funeral which was attended by Friends stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc and David Schwimmer. Now, the autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office is out and the death has been ruled accidental. The reasons listed in the report are drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects.

Matthew Perry’s death ruled accidental; Friends actor died of ‘acute effects of Ketamine’

As per a report in Variety, the report cited, "At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression. Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness."

As per the US Drug Enforcement Administration, "Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. Ketamine distorts the perception of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is referred to as a “dissociative anaesthetic hallucinogen” because it makes patients feel detached from their pain and environment. It can induce a state of sedation (feeling calm and relaxed), immobility, relief from pain, and amnesia (no memory of events while under the influence of the drug) and is abused for the dissociative sensations and hallucinogenic effects."

Matthew Perry was born to John Bennett Perry, Suzanne Morrison who split less than a year after his birth. He was also close to his stepfather, Dateline journalist Keith Morrison. He was best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends from 1994 to 2004 for 10 seasons. He also went on to work on many projects in TV and movies including Ally McBeal, The West Wing, Fools Rush In and 17 Again.