Matthew Perry's death ruled an accident after taking large dose of ketamine
Friends star Matthew Perry's death has been ruled an accident following the 'acute effects of ketamine', the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner has said.
Perry, famous for playing Chandler in the 90s sitcom, died on 28 October.
The toxicology test revealed that 'Perry's body had ketamine, a short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, in at high levels well within the range typically associated with general anesthesia used in monitored surgical care', the report said.
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"Matthew Perry's cause of death is determined to be from the acute effects of ketamine," the autopsy stated.
At the time, law enforcement said a 911 call was placed at 4.07pm local time, with emergency services treating the incident as a water rescue.
The full statement from the Medical Examiner reads: "The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) 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.
"On October 28, at approximately 1600 hours, Mr. Perry was found unresponsive in the pool at his residence. After 911 was called, paramedics responded to the scene and death was pronounced.
"DME responded, conducted a scene investigation and then transported Mr. Perry’s body to the DME’s Forensic Science Center for examination.
"On October 29, the deputy medical examiner completed an autopsy on Mr. Perry. Following the completion and receipt of relevant test results, the cause and manner of death were certified."
Perry's death resulted in an outpouring of grief from both his fans and co-stars.
Jennifer Aniston, who starred alongside Perry as Rachel in Friends, said she was texting the actor on the day he died.
She told Variety: "He was healthy. He had quit smoking. He was getting in shape. He was happy — that’s all I know.
"He was not in pain. He wasn’t struggling. He was happy."
Aniston continued: "I want people to know he was really healthy, and getting healthy.
"He was on a pursuit. He worked so hard. He really was dealt a tough one. I miss him dearly. We all do.
"Boy, he made us laugh really hard."
She added that the tributes to Perry were 'so beautiful' to see, adding: "I hope he can know that he was loved in a way he never thought he was."
Perry opened up about his struggle with drug and alcohol addictions in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing.
In the book he said he'd spent more than $7 million and had been to rehab 15 times in an attempt to get sober.
William C. Moyers, vice president of public affairs for addiction treatment centre Hazelden Betty Ford told the LA Times: "His willingness to share his story so publicly captured the reality that hope is real.
"Regardless of what his cause of death is, he kept fighting and fell and got back up, and was never ashamed to share that truth."
Topics: Matthew Perry, Friends, TV and Film
Simon Fearn