In October, actor Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, was found dead in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. An autopsy revealed that Perry died from an accidental ketamine overdose, with drowning and heart disease identified as contributing factors, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The autopsy also found that “the effects of buprenorphine,” a drug used for opioid abuse treatment, were contributing factors as well. Despite undergoing ketamine treatment for anxiety and depression, Perry had not received an infusion for over a week before his death, indicating the drug had left his system.
The autopsy did not identify alcohol or other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl in Perry’s system. In his 2022 memoir, Perry wrote about his daily use of ketamine at certain points to manage addiction, pain, and depression.
Perry’s unexpected death deeply impacted his Friends castmates, friends, family, and fans around the world, prompting heartfelt tributes and expressions of grief. Co-star Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel on Friends, expressed her sorrow on Instagram, emphasizing the profound impact Perry had on their lives.