Matthew Perry's ex-girlfriend calls for doctors to be investigated following role of ketamine in actor's death
Matthew Perry's ex-girlfriend has called for an investigation after a toxicology report revealed the actor died from the 'acute effects of ketamine'.
It was only seven weeks ago that the Friends star was found unresponsive in his hot tub by his assistant, and fans around the world have been closely watching reports to find out how this could have happened.
The coroner's report, released December 15, found that the actor died due to the 'acute effects of ketamine' and drowning.
Perry was reported to have had trace levels of ketamine in his system similar to that of a hospital patient under general anaesthetic.
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The toxicology report stated he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression - with his last session being a week and a half before his death.
The medical examiner said the amount of ketamine in his system couldn't have been from his last session, as it disappears in detectable amounts within three to four hours.
The Los Angeles coroner’s office stated on Friday: “The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine.
“Contributing factors in Mr Perry's death include drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder). The manner of death is accident.”
Raffi Djabourian, the medical examiner said: “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.”
Following the coroner's report, Perry's ex-girlfriend has called for an investigation.
Kayti Edwards, 47 previously dated Perry in 2006 before they struck up an amicable friendship and she became his assistant in 2011, having known the actor at the height of his addiction.
Edwards has admitted to having lots of unanswered questions since reading the coroner’s report and has called for his doctors to be investigated.
She told The US Sun: “I'm pretty sure that in Matthew's brain, ketamine infusions at a doctor's would count as still being sober.
“In his brain it's not the same as going on the street to buy crack or heroin.
“I think the doctors who had been working with Matthew should be investigated."
However, experts have since defended the use of ketamine in medical contexts.
Angelique Campen, at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, who did not treat Perry, told CBS: "It has an excellent safety profile, of course with any drug it needs to be given under medical supervision especially an anaesthetic."
Regarding Perry's accidental death, she believes that 'this is an isolated, outlying incident'.
Topics: News, Matthew Perry, Celebrity, Friends, Drugs
Britt Jones