The untimely death of beloved Friends star Matthew Perry has taken a shocking turn as official documents reveal ketamine played a significant role in the actor's passing.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report obtained by The Independent, Perry had "acute effects of ketamine" in his system when he was found unresponsive in his hot tub on 28 October.
The Tragic Discovery
Emergency services rushed to Perry's Pacific Palisades home after receiving a cardiac arrest call. Despite immediate resuscitation attempts, the 54-year-old actor was pronounced dead at the scene.
The coroner's report states drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid addiction) were contributing factors, but ketamine intoxication was listed as the primary cause.
A Complex Medical Picture
Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, with his last treatment occurring just one and a half weeks before his death. However, the medical examiner noted the ketamine in his system couldn't have come from that session due to the drug's short half-life.
"The exact method of intake in Perry's case remains unknown," the report stated, though evidence suggested possible ingestion via pills or intravenous injection.
Perry's Open Struggle
The actor had been remarkably transparent about his battles with addiction, detailing his struggles in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. His death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and among fans worldwide.
Investigators found no evidence of foul play or illegal drugs at the scene, though prescription medications were present in the home.
