18 December 2023 , 08:53
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Matthew Perry sadly passed away earlier this year aged 54.
The Friends actor was found unconscious in his Los Angeles home on October 28. Emergency responders came to his home after receiving a call at 4:07 p.m that the star had suffered a cardiac arrest. However, once they arrived, they reportedly found the star dead in his hot tub.
Matthew had "high levels of ketamine" in his system before dying, it has been confirmed. The medical examiner's report was released on Friday and revealed: "Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder)."
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Matthew's cause of death was revealed (AFP via Getty Images)He had spoken openly in the past about his drug and alcohol addiction issues throughout the years of the show, citing he hopes he can help others with his honesty. The Friends' official Twitter account confirmed his death, as they posted: "We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans."
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Following the confirmation of death, we review all of the unanswered questions about Matthew's death.
How did he die?
The medical examiner's report was released on Friday and revealed: "Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder)."
The report read: "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." The medical examiner added that he probably "lapsed into unconsciousness" and drowned. No blunt force trauma was found and no foul play was suspected.
His autopsy report was revealed (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Preliminary findings released after his death confirmed an autopsy had been completed but said the official cause of death had been "deferred" while they waited for toxicology reports.
Now, toxicology reports from his autopsy revealed that he had substantial amounts of ketamine - a powerful anaesthetic used in hospitals 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.
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.
Did Matthew struggle with addiction?
In the medical report obtained by The Mirror, it revealed Matthew was sober for 19 months after battling addiction for many years. His autopsy report detailed how Matthew had a lethal amount of ketamine in his body as well as buprenorphine which is used to ease pain and help with addiction to opioids.
Matthew previously struggled with addiction (Getty Images Europe)He had also been taking Tamoxifen - a drug typically used to treat Breast Cancer - to help with weight loss, as well as nicotine lollipops and anti-diabetic medication. He was trying to quit smoking when he died with his live-in assistant claiming he had been smoking around two packs of cigarettes a day.
Matthew was very open about how he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction throughout his life. He was once addicted to Vicodin and in 1997 he completed a 28-day detox programme.
How was Matthew before his death?
Matthew's autopsy report revealed how a female friend had stated that he had become "angry and mean" in the weeks leading up to his death due to testosterone shots he had been taking.
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Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston - Matthew's former Friends co-star and personal friend - recalled to Variety earlier this month how she had been texting Matthew on the day he died before he was found unresponsive. She claimed that he was in a good place saying: “He had quit smoking.
"He was getting in shape. He was happy - that’s all I know. I was literally texting with him that morning, funny Matty. He was not in pain. He wasn’t struggling. He was happy.”