Medical officials in Los Angeles have confirmed that the cause of "Friends" star Matthew Perry's death was an accident resulting from the "acute effects of ketamine." Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom, was found unresponsive in his LA home's pool in October.
The initial post-mortem examination was inconclusive, but it has now been determined that drowning, along with coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder, contributed to his death.
Perry, who battled addiction to painkillers and alcohol during the height of his fame, had been mostly sober since 2001. The medical examiner highlighted the lethal effects of high ketamine levels on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, exacerbated by drowning and coronary artery disease.
Key Points:
1. Matthew Perry, famed for his role as Chandler Bing in 'Friends', tragically died due to an accidental cause—specifically, the acute effects of ketamine, as confirmed by Los Angeles medical officials.
2. Initially found unresponsive in his LA home's pool in October, the post-mortem examination back then had inconclusive results.
3. The latest findings highlighted drowning as a contributing factor in his death, with acute ketamine effects being the primary cause, as reported by bbc.com.
4. Perry, who battled addiction to painkillers and alcohol during the pinnacle of his fame, had sought rehabilitation multiple times and detailed his struggles in a memoir.
5. He claimed sobriety since 2001 with intermittent lapses, as he admitted to around 60 or 70 instances of mishaps.
6. The medical examiner's report attributed his death to a combination of factors, including coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used in treating opioid use disorder.
7. The high levels of ketamine found in his system likely led to cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression, contributing significantly to his passing.
8. Drowning was noted as a consequence of unconsciousness while submerged in the pool, accentuated by the effects of ketamine on his heart due to coronary artery disease.
9. Emergency responders declared his death upon arriving at his home on October 28, prompting an investigation by the medical examiner's office.
10. After a private funeral, Perry was laid to rest in a Los Angeles cemetery in November, as reported by US media. His passing saddened fans worldwide, marking the end of an era for the beloved actor.
(With Agency Inputs)
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