What happened to Matthew Perry? His cause of death, explained

At the age of 49, Matthew Perry beat death, even after his heart stopped beating. Sadly, life is anything but fair as the miracle heartbreakingly didn’t repeat itself when the actor passed away on Oct. 28, 2023, at the age of 54.

The actor struggled with addiction and mental health for years, openly admitting that there are several seasons of the famous sitcom Friends that he didn’t remember shooting. But he didn’t let the lowest lows in his life assume control over the direction of his future, and confronted his addiction with the aim to help others going through a similar struggle, as well as ensure that they don’t feel alone in their battle.

Just days before his untimely demise, the actor met up with his dad, John Bennett Perry (Falcon Crest, Fools Rush In, 240-Robert), and was happily living life at its best in his home in Los Angeles.

What was Matthew Perry’s cause of death?

At the time of his death, when the investigation initially began, the alleged reason for his death was said to be drowning. TMZ has shared a 15-second audio of the dispatch call, which was reportedly in response to Perry’s assistant calling 911 after finding the actor unresponsive. Post the call, first responders were dispatched to his home in the Pacific Palisades area of L.A. where they found the actor dead in a hot tub.

As per the toxicology report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office (obtained by Variety), Matthew Perry’s cause of death was “the acute effects of ketamine” — though they are yet to discover its way of consumption — but factors that included “drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine” also added to the drug’s effect. The manner of death has now been ruled an accident.

As per the toxicology report:

“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.”

While buprenorphine is used to treat opioid use disorder, ketamine is an FDA-approved “dissociative anesthetic,” which works as an antidepressant. As per reports, Perry had been taking ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, with the most recent session being one and a half weeks before his death as per his autopsy report. That’s why the medical examiner hasn’t been able to pinpoint the source of the ketamine found in his body, as the drug only remains in the system for 3-4 hours after it is administered.

While the L.A. police specified that there was no suspicion of foul play even though the cause of death cuuldn’t be confirmed, Los Angeles Times’ sources had confirmed that the investigation was still on, and the prescription drugs found at Perry’s home were under scrutiny.

Matthew Perry’s case moves forward with five arrests

It was reported on Aug. 15, 2024, that five people have been arrested in the ongoing investigation into Perry’s death. Of the five arrested, two are doctors who were initially supplying the actor the drugs and have been charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine that resulted in death. Reportedly, it was after the ketamine they were selling hiked its price that Perry turned to another source, a woman called “The Ketamine Queen” of Los Angeles. It has not been clarified whether this woman has been arrested as well, or how directly involved these five people were in the actor’s death, which was underlined as an accident.

Though the details about Perry’s death and the subsequent developments have only fueled the conspiracy theories — rumors already impossible to sidestep, and that have been cropping up since his sudden demise — it is important not to malign his memory by indulging in or falling for gossip. Before loving him as an actor who gave us a character that remains a constant comfort for millions of souls, respect and remember that Perry was a human simply trying to live life, and he deserves the same dignity we all hope for.