Matthew Perry death updates — Autopsy shows ketamine killed Friends star days after receiving drug for infusion therapy
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MATTHEW Perry's cause of death has been revealed and the toxicology report suggests it was accidental.
The Friends star died from "the acute effects of ketamine," a medication that is used to treat depression while also used recreationally.
The toxicology study, which was just made public by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, found that ketamine infusion treatment was used by the actor for anxiety and depression one and a half weeks before his death.
However, since ketamine has a half-life of three to four hours or less, the ketamine in his system at the time of his death "could not be from that infusion therapy."
The consequences of buprenorphine, coronary artery disease, and drowning were contributing reasons to Perry's death. Buprenorphine is used to ween users off opioids.
Matthew Perry died on October 28 at his Los Angeles home. His cause of death has been deferred, but there were no signs of foul play. His friends and family gathered for a private ceremony on Friday, November 3. Perry's six co-stars were in attendance.
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New photos reveal Matt LeBlanc arrived
A new round of photos released by have revealed that Perry's co-star Matt LeBlanc was in attendance along with the rest of the Friends cast.
Only around 20 people (an estimate) were in attendance at the services.
Perry had already faced death
In his book, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, Matthew Perry reflected on a visit to the doctor, where he realized how lethal his smoking habit could be.
He wrote that his doctor told him, “If I didn’t quit smoking now—today—I was going to die when I was sixty.”
The actor described that he noticed he was wheezing when he laid down to sleep, which prompted him to see the doctor.
Matthew Perry felt ‘happier than ever’ before death
Matthew Perry’s longtime barber and friend Pierre Johnson Jr. is speaking out, revealing the actor’s big plans prior to his unexpected death in an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun.
Pierre, who worked with the TV personality from 2018 to 2022, reflected on their friendship.
He said Matthew began the process of writing his telling memoir to avoid relapsing and that he had other things in mind for after the book was done.
“The writing process was every day, and he’d have different people proof his work,” he said.
“Once he knocked out the memoir, he had plans to really get back into movie-making again. He said that to me directly, and he’d love to have been back on television.”
Director speaks out
Jim Burrows, who directed more than a dozens Friends episodes said he immediately texted Aniston, Cox,, and Kudrow after hearing the tragic news.
"I had texted the girls the day we found out," he told Today on Thursday. "They were destroyed. It’s a brother dying."
Matt LeBlanc absent
Matt Leblanc was not spotted at Matthew Perry's funeral as his fellow Friends cast mates walked in together.
It is unclear if this means he did not attend at all.
How did Matthew Perry die
Law enforcement sources told that first responders were initially called to the Los Angeles property for a cardiac arrest.
Sources also told TMZ that no illicit drugs were found at the scene, and that foul play was not suspected.
However, the outlet later claimed prescription drugs, including anti-anxiety and anti-depressant pills, were found inside the home.
Matthew Perry in 'good spirits' before death
Matthew Perry was pictured with a woman a few days before his death, per photos obtained by .
Model and entertainment reporter Athenna Crosby confirmed in an Instagram post that she was the woman eating with Matthew in a sweet tribute to the late actor.
She added that he was in "good spirits" before his death and was enthusiastic about the things "coming up in his life."
Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman echoed a similar sentiment during an interview on the Today Show, telling Hoda Kotb that Matthew was "happy and chipper" when they spoke a few weeks ago.
The cast was like a 'family'
The cast of Friends frequently discussed the familial bond they shared on the show.
During their 2021 reunion special, Matthew opened up about their relationships after the show wrapped as he choked back tears.
He said: “The best way I can describe it is, after the show was over, if we were at a party and one of us bumped into each other, that was it. That was the end of the night."
“You just sat with the person all night long. You apologized to the people you were with but they had to understand you had met somebody special to you and you were going to talk to that person for the rest of the night.”
Matthew Perry cleared up rumors after Friends reunion
The Friends cast participated in a reunion special in 2021, where they reminisced over the hit show.
Matthew had emergency dental surgery just days prior, which contributed to his slurred speech during the special.
Fans were quick to notice the slurring and speculated whether he had started drinking again.
He put the rumors to rest a year later during his interview with Diane Sawyer, noting that even though his voice was off he knew he needed to show up for the cast.
Matthew explained: “So what I chose to do was just go and do the best that I could."
More on Matthew Perry's commitment to sobriety
Matthew Perry's close friend, Pierre Johnson Jr told The U.S Sun: “His story was changing lives, and I was so glad to see that he was on the other side of it [addiction]."
“To hear that he overcame, that’s what everyone wants. He was ticking them off."
Pierre added that he never saw Matthew drink an alcoholic beverage and believed him to be clean and sober in his final years.
He also spoke about Matthew's desire to find a romantic partner and was planning his TV comeback.
Sitcom star was determined to stay clean
Matthew Perry's longtime friend Pierre Johnson Jr told The U.S Sun exclusively that he was determined to stay "clean and sober" in the final years before his death.
Pierre worked with Matthew from 2018 to 2022 and shed some light on the actor's final years.
“He had a home gym inside of his place in the Palisades, and I knew he’d taken up pickleball again,” Pierre told The U.S. Sun.
Pierre said that Matthew was committed to quitting smoking and decided to take up pickleball as a way to stay healthy.
Longtime friend posts tribute
Actor David Pressman has shared a tribute to Matthew Perry on his Instagram account.
He shared a throwback photo of himself with Matthew when they were young.
Alongside the picture, David wrote: "I met Matthew when I was 21 and he was 17. We became fast friends and along with our friend Roger Castillo we were inseparable. This pic was from my bday dinner many years ago.
"I know you can’t tell from my expression but nobody made me laugh harder. I’ll miss him. A lot. And I hope wherever he is, he’s finally at peace. Love you, Matthew."
David also reshared Rome Shadanloo's Instagram story calling out Matthew's ex-fiancee Molly Hurwitz for being a "grifter."
More on Matthew and Molly's relationship
Matthew Perry's ex-fiancee penned an emotional tribute to the actor after his death, which has received pushback from his close friends.
Matthew opened up about their relationship in his memoir, admitting that he was "high as a kite" when he proposed.
"I bought her a ring because I was desperate that she would leave me," he recalled.
"I didn’t want to be this injured and alone during Covid. I was high on 1,800 milligrams of hydrocodone when I asked her to marry me."
"I had even asked for her family’s blessing. Then I’d proposed, high as a kite. And on one knee. And she knew it, too. And she said yes."
Close friend slams Molly Hurwitz as 'con artist'
Matthew Perry's close friend Rome Shadanloo has taken to her Instagram to express frustration with his ex-fiancee Molly Hurtwitz.
Rome reshared Molly's tribute to Matthew, in which she expressed her deep love for her ex but added that he "caused pain."
Rome wrote over Molly's post: "Shameful when the grifters and the con artists speak for the dead.
"He hated this woman who tried to sue him. Shame on her for using him....again."
Memoir was an instant bestseller
Matthew Perry's memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing was an instant number one New York Times bestseller.
Matthew shared the news on his X (formerly Twitter) account at the time and expressed gratitude for the accolade.
He wrote: "Wow- a dream come true! Thank you all so much for making #FriendsLoversBook #1 on the @nytimer bestseller list. Feeling grateful and humbled for all of the love you have given my memoir and am happy to hear my words resonated with you."
'How will we know when you're in trouble?'
In his exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer, Matthew Perry was asked how those close to him would know if he wasn't okay.
After a long pause, Matthew responded: "If I say I'm just going to chill alone at home tonight."
He continued: "And part two - the other thing, is if I ever say I'm cured."
Half of his life in treatment facilities
Matthew Perry shared shocking statistics in his memoir about his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
He estimated that he has been in detox 65 times and spent half his life in sober living communities.
Matthew added that he's been to 6,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, has been in therapy for 30 years, and lived in 15 rehabilitation facilities.
'I finally feel ok'
Matthew Perry sat down with Diane Sawyer last year for a candid conversation to promote his tell-all memoir.
Diane began the interview by reading the first lines of his memoir that declared he should be dead
Matthew responded: "That's definitely true." He went on to explain his addiction and compared it to doing one-armed push-ups.
Matthew said that for addicts, their addiction is just waiting to get them alone and it's impossible to face it without support.
"I finally feel ok, and feel like I've got some strength."
Matthew Perry spotted in good spirits before death
Matthew Perry was pictured on a date just 24 hours before his death.
Matthew appeared to be on a date with a mystery woman in new pictures first obtained by .
According to the news outlet, the photos were taken on Friday, October 27 around 2:30 pm at Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, California.
Witnesses told TMZ that the pair were seated at the table for more than one hour, but he barely touched his meal or beverage.
They added that he appeared to be in good spirits and was engaged in a conversation with his date.
Initial autopsy results revealed
The initial autopsy results following Matthew Perry's death have been concluded.
Law enforcement confirmed to that his death was not the result of fentanyl or meth.
The toxicology report is still pending and could potentially take months to complete. Once more in-depth tests are conducted, professionals will be able to determine the official cause of death.
Friends co-creators reveal last conversations, continued
Friends co-creator David Krane said on the Today Show: “I would say that’s probably true given the journey he’d been on, and we were all aware of it. There was a part that was kind of bracing for something like this."
“It is still hard to believe, because he was such an alive person that it’s hard to believe he’s not here.”
Marta recalled seeing Matthew at the reunion and was concerned given his journey with sobriety. She said that her concern had faded and assured viewers that Matthew was sober at the time of his death.
David said that Matthew's purpose was helping people with addictions and Marta added that she was blown away by the outpouring of support from fans of the show.
Friends co-creators reveal last conversations
Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane appeared on the Today Show to discuss Matthew Perry.
Marta revealed that she spoke to Matthew a few weeks ago, saying: “It was great. He was happy and chipper. He didn’t seem weighed down by anything. He was in a really good place, which is why this seems so unfair.”
She added that she couldn't believe the news: “My first impulse was to text him, honestly. It’s hard to grasp: one minute he’s here and he’s happy, and then poof. And doing good in the world, really doing good in the world.”
Toxicology results could take months
The Los Angeles County coroner will perform a toxicology exam to determine if any drugs were in Matthew Perry‘s system, but it could take months.
Although no drugs were located at the scene, multiple prescription medications were found.
Perry had anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and a COPD drug in his Los Angeles mansion, police told
Pickleball player on Perry’s final game
Matthew Perry played pickleball at the Riviera Country Club hours before his sudden death.
A member of the club told The U.S. Sun: “I know he played at the country club and was hitting with a guy yesterday who is well-known here, I’ve spoken to him.”
“As someone who really watched the show Friends; that was a very cool pop culture moment in history.
“You won’t find anyone who spoke ill of him here. When you’re here to have a nice time, exercise and meet people, you come with that mindset.”
Matthew thought he'd 'be great' as a father
In his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, the actor said he was looking forward to getting married and having children in the future.
“I’m feeling more confident and I’m not afraid of love anymore, so the next girl I go out with better watch out,” he joked.
He added that as a father, “I think I’d be great. I really do.”
“I grew up with a lot of little kids around me, and that’s probably why, but I can’t wait.”