Saturday October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry died at the age of 54. The actor known for his role as Chandler Bing in the series Friends died at his home in Los Angeles, United States. What did the small screen star die of? After long weeks of analysis, forensic pathologists from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office have released their report. THE American magazine Variety reveals on Friday December 15, 2023 that Matthew Langford Perry succumbed to “acute effects of ketamine”although the nature of taking this psychotropic drug which acts on the nervous system is unknown. “The high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood samples, the main fatal effects would be both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression”details the toxicology report. His death is also linked to other factors : coronary artery disease, effects of buprenorphine (a medication to treat opioid addiction) and drowning.
In his memoirs, Matthew Perry confided in his addictions
Matthew Perry’s body was found by his assistant in his jacuzzi. Emergency services tried to resuscitate him, in vain. Matthew Perry had been battling his demons for years. The actor had publicly discussed his alcohol addiction in his memoirs entitled Friends, my loves and this terrible thing (editions Michel Lafon), published on November 1, 2022. An addiction that accompanied him during almost the entire filming of the successful series Friends… Matthew Perry also wrote about taking Xanax and cocaine. “We can follow the trajectory of my addiction by measuring my weight from one season to the next”he wrote in his book, about the physical evolution of his character Chandler in Friends. Upset, Matthew Perry’s on-screen partners paid tribute to the star. “I am so grateful for every moment I spent with you Matty and I miss you every day“, wrote with emotion Courteney Cox on Instagram on November 14, 2023.