Matthew Perry's mother, Suzanne Morrison, has spoken emotionally about the first anniversary of her son's death, revealing her frustration at being unable to help him with his addiction struggles. In an interview with NBC's Today, she said: 'I'm a very lucky woman. But there was one glitch, there was one problem that I couldn't — I couldn't conquer it. I couldn't help him.'
Perry's stepfather, Keith Morrison, and three of his sisters — Caitlin, Emily and Madeline Morrison — also spoke about his final days and the foundation set up after his death to continue his work helping others with addiction. The Matthew Perry Foundation's website states it is 'the realization of Matthew’s enduring commitment to helping others struggling with the disease of addiction.'
The 54-year-old actor, best known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on 28 October 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office determined he died from the acute effects of ketamine. He had been undergoing ketamine treatment for depression and anxiety, but prosecutors said he had become addicted to the drug and was using it unsupervised.
Five people have been charged in connection with his death, including two doctors and his assistant; three have pleaded guilty. His sister Emily recalled Perry saying shortly before he died: 'I love you so much, and I’m so happy to be with you now,' describing it as a 'premonition.' She added: 'There was an inevitability to — to what was going to happen next to him, and he felt it very strongly. But he said, “I’m not frightened anymore.” And it worried me.'
Suzanne Morrison continues to be moved by the devotion of fans who visit Perry's burial site in Los Angeles. She said: 'Whenever I’m there, there will be people coming to see him — still now. Usually that wears off. They leave really lovely letters to him. Like, “I felt so sad. You helped me get through my teen years.”' She has kept all the notes, adding: 'I’ll maybe release them sometime, so people can see. But they really did love him, because they could relate to him.'
