The beloved Friends star Matthew Perry was found lifeless in his hot tub, a scene that shocked the world. Now, the official coroner's report has delivered a devastating and complex verdict, attributing his death to the "acute effects of ketamine".
The findings reveal a ketamine level in his blood of 3,540 nanograms per millilitre—a staggering amount, particularly for someone reportedly undergoing infusion therapy. This level is comparable to that used in surgical anaesthesia, far exceeding what would be expected from a treatment dose.
A Private Torment Behind the Fame
While the world knew him as the witty Chandler Bing, Perry's memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, laid bare a decades-long war with addiction. His public persona masked immense private suffering, with millions spent on his quest for sobriety.
The report confirms he was receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. However, the last known administration was over a week before his death, a half-life that means the ketamine in his system at the time of death could not have been from that treatment.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
On October 28th, Perry was active, playing pickleball for over an hour. His assistant, who ran errands for him, returned to find the actor unconscious in his Jacuzzi. Despite desperate efforts, he could not be revived. The report also noted contributing factors, including coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
The manner of death was ruled an accident. There was no evidence of foul play, but the report highlighted the drowning as a consequence of the ketamine's likely impact, which includes impaired consciousness and an inability to keep oneself safe.
This tragic loss serves as a sombre reminder of the fierce and often hidden struggles faced by many, even those who seem to have it all.
