Matthew Perry Cause Of Death Released

The coroner’s office charged with investigating Matthew Perry’s cause of death has now released information saying that there was evidence of ketamine and the opioid buprenorphine in the actor’s system at the time of death. “The acute effects of ketamine” were primarily to blame. 

The opioid buprenorphine is a medication typically prescribed for the treatment of opioid addiction, and ketamine is now a common tool for the treatment of chronic depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. 

The autopsy reports on Matthew Perry’s death stated that Perry was involved in ketamine infusion therapy. But the levels of ketamine in his system at his time of death were likely not leftover from his most recent session, which was about 10 days before the actor died. 

The levels of ketamine in his body were around 3,271 nanograms per milliliter of blood. During treatment, ketamine levels in patients typically range between 1,000 and 6,000 nanograms per milliliter. 

That number is “during” treatment, not 10 days after treatment. From the looks of this information, Matthew Perry was likely using ketamine more recreationally at his time of death. 

Matthew Perry’s toxicology report regarding his untimely death also showed “therapeutic” levels of buprenorphine in his system, alongside other sedatives. There was no evidence of alcohol, methamphetamine, or cocaine in his blood. 

However, the Friends star has had a long and public battle with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. Perry has battled an addiction to opioids, cocaine, and alcohol throughout the years. He even spoke of his battles in a book called Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. 

By his own account, Matthew Perry spent more than half of his life here on Earth moving in and out of various treatment and rehab facilities. The actor’s body was not in the best of health at the time of death, and, understandably, his body would have a few health challenges after years of substance abuse. 

Throughout his worst times (in 2018), Matthew Perry struggled through a series of medical episodes, facing an even more premature death. He suffered through a bout of pneumonia, an exploded colon, a brief stint on life support, a two-week-long coma, nine months with a colostomy bag, and more than six different stomach surgeries. 

There’s no doubt the actor spent his life trying to dull the pain, and Matthew Perry’s death certainly induced sadness for many loyal friends, family, and fans.

A private funeral was held for Perry on November 3rd in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have been laid to rest.

Debbie Reynolds, Paul Walker, and Bob Barker all made their final rest place there.