Entertainment

‘Friends’ Star Matthew Perry Died Due To Ketamine Drug Overdose: Autopsy Report

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: “Friends” star Matthew Perry died from the “acute effects” of the powerful sedative ketamine. Combined with other factors, it caused the actor to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub, according to an autopsy released on Friday.

The report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner came nearly seven weeks after Perry, 54, who publicly acknowledged decades of drug and alcohol abuse, was found by his live-in assistant floating face down and lifeless in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home.

Toxicology tests found ketamine, a short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, in Perry’s body at high levels well within the range typically associated with general anesthesia used in monitored surgical care, the report said.

“Matthew Perry’s cause of death is determined to be from the acute effects of ketamine,” the autopsy concluded.

Coronary artery disease, the effects of the opioid-addiction medicine buprenorphine, also detected in his system, and drowning were listed as contributing factors in his death, which was ruled an accident.

The concentrations of ketamine in Perry’s body would have overstimulated his heart rate while depressing his breathing, likely leading him to lapse into unconsciousness before his face slipped below the water in the hot tub, the report said.

“The exact method of intake in Mr. Perry’s case is unknown,” the report said, adding that trace amounts of the drug showed up in his stomach. No recent needle marks were found on his body, it said.

Autopsy findings suggested Perry may have been self-medicating with ketamine between medically supervised treatments with the drug.

According to witness interviews cited in the report, Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. But his last known treatment was a week and a half before his death, so the ketamine found in his system by medical examiners would have been introduced since that last infusion, the report said.

What is ketamine?

Referred to as a “dissociative anesthetic hallucinogen” because it produces a feeling of detachment from pain, anxiety and the environment, ketamine can be injected, mixed with liquids, snorted as a powder, or smoked, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

PM Modi To Participate In ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ In Delhi Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the ‘Odisha Parba 2024’ programme on Sunday…

November 23, 2024

Maharashtra Poll Rout: Among Many Excuses, MVA Blames ‘Ladla Bhai’ Adani

Mumbai: In a remarkable change in fortunes, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance suffered a devastating…

November 23, 2024

2 Friends Killed As Bike Hits Roadside Tree In Odisha’s Balangir

Balangir: In a tragic incident, two friends were killed when the bike they were riding…

November 23, 2024

Disastrous Electoral Debut By His Jan Suraaj Party, But Prashant Kishor Not Too Worried

Patna: In a disastrous electoral debut, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party drew a blank in…

November 23, 2024

Odisha Cabinet Approves Amendment Of IPR 2015 For Smooth Administration Of Incentives

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Saturday approved amendment of IPR 2015 in two sections in…

November 23, 2024

Jindal Foundation Expands Project SNEH In Odisha’s Angul

Angul (Odisha): Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel & Power, has…

November 23, 2024

Imtiaz Ali’s U-Turn About Firing Crew Member To Ensure Alia Bhatt’s Safety On ‘Highway’ Sets

Mumbai: Hours after stating that he had to fire a crew member on the sets…

November 23, 2024

Maharashtra Polls: Swara Bhasker Alleges EVM Manipulation After Husband Fahad Loses Close Contest

Mumbai: In keeping with the trend across Maharashtra, the Mahayuti coalition’s candidate won the Anushakti…

November 23, 2024