Matthew Perry’s Cause of Death Determined: Friends Actor Died of ‘Acute Effects of Ketamine’

Matthew Perry’s cause of death has been determined.

The Friends actor died of the acute effects of ketamine, according to an autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE. Drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (a drug used to treat opioid use disorder) were also cited as contributing factors to his death, which was ruled an accident.

Ketamine is “a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects,” according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. It “distorts the perception of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and out of control,” and “can cause states of sedation (a feeling of calmness and relaxation), immobility, pain relief, and amnesia.”

Matthew Perry dead at 54 after apparent drowning

The autopsy said Perry – who was “reportedly clean for 19 months” – had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy, with his last treatment just “a week and a half before” his death. However, the coroner noted that “the ketamine in his body at the time of death could not have been from that infusion therapy, since the half-life of ketamine is 3 to 4 hours or less.”

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According to the autopsy, Perry’s death occurred “by an unknown route of drug ingestion.” The coroner stated that Perry was found “in a residential pool,” with prescription drugs and bulk pills present at his residence, but “nothing reported near the pool” or “next to the pool.” The autopsy also notes that there were “no signs of fatal trauma or suspicion of foul play.”

“In addition to the high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood samples, the main lethal effects would have been cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression,” the coroner said in the report. “Drowning contributes due to the probability of submersion in the pool because he passed out.”

Perry died on Saturday, October 28 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 54 years old. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told PEOPLE at the time they responded to a call at 4:07 p.m. citing a “medical emergency.”

Matthew Perry attended “A Doll’s House, Part 2” on Broadway in April 2017.

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Matthew Perry’s Lasting Legacy: How He Won Our Hearts and Found a Mission to Help Others With Addiction

Before his death, Perry spoke at length about his struggle with addiction. In his memoirs from 2022. Friends, lovers and the big scary thinghe recounted his journey to sobriety — and his pride in staying clean.

“I wanted to share when I was safe from going to the dark side again,” he told PEOPLE at the time for the 2022 cover. I was pretty sure it would help people if I did.”

Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the 90s sitcom, Friends. Throughout his career, he spoke highly of the role that landed him – and his co-star, Jennifer Aniston. Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer — viral fame.

“It changed my life in every way. I got the show when I was 24; the show ended when I was 34. It shaped my life. And it was the time of my life,” Perry previously told PEOPLE.

Friends are filming the episode “The One Where They All Turn Thirty.”.

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Matthew Perry Dead: Read Friends The 2022 PEOPLE cover star interviewed about his addiction and memoir

Of the cast’s support through his ongoing addiction — which fluctuated throughout the show’s filming — Perry said, “They were understanding and patient.”

He concluded: “It’s like a penguin. In nature, when one is sick or badly injured, other penguins surround it, support it and walk around until that penguin can walk on its own. And that’s something the cast did for me.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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Source: HIS Education