Mystery solved: Police close Friends star Matthew Perry case as coroner reveals report
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The entertainment world was left in shock and mourning when news broke of the untimely death of beloved actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic television series Friends.
The mystery surrounding his sudden passing has been a topic of much speculation and sorrow among fans and colleagues alike.
However, recent developments have brought some closure to the tragic event, as the Los Angeles Police Department officially closed its investigation into Perry's death.
On 28 October 2023, Perry was found lifeless in the hot tub of his LA home.
The initial uncertainty and heartbreak that followed were palpable as the world grappled with the loss of a star who had brought laughter and joy to millions.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's ruling of Perry's death as 'accidental' has now been substantiated by the LAPD's confirmation to People magazine that their case is closed, with online records also indicating the conclusion of the coroner's case.
The cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine—commonly used in opioid addiction treatment—listed as contributing factors.
The coroner's report revealed that Perry had ketamine levels in his system comparable to that of a hospital patient under general anesthesia.
Perry's blood ketamine levels were notably high, with measurements of 3,540 ng/ml in blood taken from his extremities and 3,271 ng/ml in blood taken from his body.
A blood ketamine level of 1,000-6,000 ng/ml would be normal for a patient under general anesthetic, according to the medical examiner Raffi Djabourian.
‘Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart.’
'Buprenorphine effects are listed as contributory, even though not at toxic levels, due to the additive respiratory effects when present with high levels of ketamine.'
Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy as treatment for depression, but the last session was a week and a half before he passed away.
The medical examiner said that the ketamine is only a body’s system for three to four hours, which means this cannot directly lead to Perry’s death.
‘At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression,’ Djabourian concluded.
Perry's openness about his demons was exemplified in his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, released just a year before his death, where he chronicled his arduous journey through addiction.
He detailed spending $9 million on attempts to achieve sobriety, attending thousands of AA meetings, multiple stints in rehab, and numerous detoxes. His lowest point saw him consuming 55 Vicodins—a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen used for relief of moderate pain—a day.
Despite these challenges, Perry had made significant strides towards recovery, with the help of Morgan Moses, or called by his pseudonym ‘Erin’ in his memoir, a 'sober companion' towards leading a healthier lifestyle. His last public appearance was on October 22.
Perry was laid to rest in an intimate ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. The service was attended by his Friends and co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox, and David Schwimmer, who came together to bid their friend and colleague a final farewell.
Matthew Perry's death has left a void in the world of entertainment. His portrayal of Chandler Bing in Friends made him a household name and endeared him to millions of fans worldwide.
Are you a fan of Matthew Perry? Share your favourite memories of him with us in the comments below.
The mystery surrounding his sudden passing has been a topic of much speculation and sorrow among fans and colleagues alike.
However, recent developments have brought some closure to the tragic event, as the Los Angeles Police Department officially closed its investigation into Perry's death.
On 28 October 2023, Perry was found lifeless in the hot tub of his LA home.
The initial uncertainty and heartbreak that followed were palpable as the world grappled with the loss of a star who had brought laughter and joy to millions.
Matthew Perry shocked everyone with his sudden passing on 28 October. Credit: Shutterstock
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's ruling of Perry's death as 'accidental' has now been substantiated by the LAPD's confirmation to People magazine that their case is closed, with online records also indicating the conclusion of the coroner's case.
The cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine—commonly used in opioid addiction treatment—listed as contributing factors.
The coroner's report revealed that Perry had ketamine levels in his system comparable to that of a hospital patient under general anesthesia.
Perry's blood ketamine levels were notably high, with measurements of 3,540 ng/ml in blood taken from his extremities and 3,271 ng/ml in blood taken from his body.
A blood ketamine level of 1,000-6,000 ng/ml would be normal for a patient under general anesthetic, according to the medical examiner Raffi Djabourian.
‘Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart.’
'Buprenorphine effects are listed as contributory, even though not at toxic levels, due to the additive respiratory effects when present with high levels of ketamine.'
Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy as treatment for depression, but the last session was a week and a half before he passed away.
The medical examiner said that the ketamine is only a body’s system for three to four hours, which means this cannot directly lead to Perry’s death.
‘At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression,’ Djabourian concluded.
Perry's openness about his demons was exemplified in his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, released just a year before his death, where he chronicled his arduous journey through addiction.
He detailed spending $9 million on attempts to achieve sobriety, attending thousands of AA meetings, multiple stints in rehab, and numerous detoxes. His lowest point saw him consuming 55 Vicodins—a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen used for relief of moderate pain—a day.
Despite these challenges, Perry had made significant strides towards recovery, with the help of Morgan Moses, or called by his pseudonym ‘Erin’ in his memoir, a 'sober companion' towards leading a healthier lifestyle. His last public appearance was on October 22.
Perry was laid to rest in an intimate ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. The service was attended by his Friends and co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox, and David Schwimmer, who came together to bid their friend and colleague a final farewell.
Matthew Perry's death has left a void in the world of entertainment. His portrayal of Chandler Bing in Friends made him a household name and endeared him to millions of fans worldwide.
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