The death of Friends star Matthew Perry has been ruled as an accident caused by the “acute effects of ketamine,” with contributing factors including coronary artery disease, drowning, and the effects of buprenorphine.
Perry, who found fame for his role as Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom Friends, had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. The actor passed away on October 28th at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 54.
An autopsy has now concluded that the manner of death was an accident. The medical examiner suggested that “the ketamine in his system at death could not be that from infusion therapy.” They could not confirm the method of intake, but Perry had reportedly been clean for 19 months.
“At the high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood specimens,” senior deputy medical examiner Raffi Djabourian wrote, “the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.”
“Drowning contributes to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine induced myocardial effects on the hearts,” he continued.
Following his death, Perry’s Friends co-stars shared individual and joint statements about the loss. “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” they wrote in a joint statement obtained by People, “We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.”
“For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world,” the statement concluded.