Matthew Perry's ex calls for doctors to be investigated after his death
Matthew Perry's ex-girlfriend wants his doctors investigated after his autopsy revealed he died from a ketamine overdose.
The 54-year-old actor, best known for plating Chandler Bing on 90s sitcom Friends, was found dead a home in a hot tub on October 28. Results from his autopsy, released on Friday, concluded accidental death caused by the "acute effects" of ketamine, a hospital-grade anaesthetic which he had been prescribed as part of an "infusion therapy" to tackle depression.
The medical examiner's report revealed: "Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder). 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."
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Matthew Perry's ex-girlfiend Kayti Edwards has spoken out (InTouch Weekly/Youtube)The medical examiner added that Perry probably "lapsed into unconsciousness" and drowned. No blunt force trauma was found and no foul play was suspected.
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His ex-partner Kayti Edwards has now spoken out about the results, telling The Sun US she believes that he must have obtained the ketamine illegally, considering the most recent scheduled treatment was a week prior to his passing.
She said: “I think the doctors who had been working with Matthew should be investigated. I’m pretty sure he would have had an in with a doctor. It’s very hard to get ketamine on the street but it is very easy for a doctor or a nurse to get.”
Toxicology reports from Perry's autopsy revealed that he had substantial amounts of ketamine - a powerful anaesthetic used in hospitals, and often abused recreationally - in his system. According to the L.A. County Medical Examiner's report, his ketamine levels were 3,540 ng/ml. When used to put people under ahead of surgery, patients are in the 1,000 - 6,000 range.
Matthew Perry was found dead at home on October 28 (AFP via Getty Images)The Medical Examiner's report also revealed that Perry had been prescribed ketamine as part of an infusion therapy treatment for depression and anxiety, and was taking it every other day. However, six months ago, a new doctor tried to wean him off the chemical, which can cause feelings of euphoria and disassociation when taken in small amounts.
The last time he was prescribed a dose of the drug was reportedly a week and a half before his death. It has been asked if he might have taken the ketamine before getting in the hot tub, become disorientated or passed out and drowned. Large doses of ketamine can cause people to hallucinate or slip into unconsciousness.
The coroner noted that the ketamine in Perry's system "could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine's half-life is three to four hours, or less." The report added that the method of intake could not be determined, but trace amounts of the drug were found in Perry's stomach hinting that he might have taken it in tablet form.
Kayti also told the outlet that she believed there were numerous signs that he had relapsed, including an increase in social media use, and referring to himself as "Mattman", which is something she said only happened when he was high. The horse sanctuary owner last spoke to him last year after the publication of his memoir Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing.
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