Autopsy Reports Reveal “Ketamine” as the Reason for Matthew Perry’s Death
Image Source: Hindustan Times
The autopsy reports of the recently deceased Matthew Perry have revealed that the actor’s death was partly due to the influence of the drug ketamine found in his body. The “Friends” famed actor passed away on October 28 and was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles. Responders pronounced him dead at 4:17 p.m. that day.
The actor, who starred as Chandler Bing on NBC’s 10-year-running famous sitcom “Friends,” had a long history of drug abuse. He had been in and out of hospitals due to his addiction and other problems arising from it. He has previously been found using drugs like Vicodin, methadone, amphetamines, and oxycotin, along with alcohol.
In the early 2000s, Perry revealed that he had no memory of almost three years of his work on Friends due to his substance use disorder. In 2018, the actor nearly died after his colon burst due to opioid abuse. He spent two weeks in a coma and had to use a colostomy bag for nine months.
On October 28, when Perry’s news of death was released, it was initially announced due to his drowning in his hot tub. However, after an autopsy on December 15, his death was revealed to have occurred due to the “acute effects of ketamine.” Other circumstances, such as buprenorphine, drowning, and coronary artery disease, were also listed as having contributed to his death.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration defines ‘Ketamine’ as a dissociative anesthetic that can cause hallucinogenic effects. The medication can alter the user’s perception of sight and sound, making one feel devoid of pain and out of control of their surroundings.
The FDA has approved the anesthetic in controlled amounts as a fast-acting antidepressant drug for decades. However, ketamine has gained a negative perception for many because it is often abused as a party drug.
The LA County medical inspector stated that, due to the high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood samples, the main lethal effects on him would have been “from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.” He added that drowning contributed to his death due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness and “cardiac artery disease contributes due to the exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart.”
It has been reported that the actor was taking “ketamine infusion therapy” for depression and anxiety. His last known session has been reported to have been in the week prior to his death. His autopsy report mentioned that around 3,540 ng/ml was found in his system while also noting that the “levels for general anesthesia are typically in the 1,000-6,000 ng/ml ranges.” However, the report also stated that the ketamine found in his system at death could not possibly be from that infusion therapy since ketamine’s presence in the body cannot last for more than 3 to 4 hours.
Team Profile
- Freelance Journalist
- Sanchali Barua, currently pursuing her Master's in English at the University of Calcutta, is a dedicated individual with a curious mind and a profound interest in the entertainment industry. Throughout her academic journey, she has actively engaged in various writing assignments, contributing significantly to the development and refinement of her writing skills. Her passion for literature and keen involvement in the creative process reflect a commitment to exploring the diverse facets of the English language.
Latest entries
English9 April 2024‘Monkey Man’ Faces Trouble Securing a Release Date in India
News1 January 20243 Highly Anticipated K-Dramas You Can Watch This January
News29 December 2023K-Pop Star Lisa Creates History as She Gains 1 Million Followers on Instagram
News28 December 2023SBS Announces its Nominees for the 2023 Daesang (Grand Prize) Award
