Matthew Perry's Cause Of Death Revealed: Acute Effects Of Ketamine

Matthew Perry's official cause of death is the acute effects of the drug "Ketamine" -- which investigators say he was using for therapeutic treatment for "anxiety and depression."

According to the report, obtained by The Blast, The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of Ketamine.

The manner of death is an accident. 

"The cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder)," the document states.

Investigators say records gathered say Perry's last treatment was supposedly from over a week before his death.

He had a "history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, diabetes; drug use in past -- reportedly clean for 19 months; heavy tobacco user for many years but currently not smoking; on ketamine infusion therapy with most recent therapy reportedly one and a half weeks before death," it reads.

As for how it caused his death, the autopsy report says, "At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression."

It continues, "Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart. Buprenorphine effects are listed as contributory, even though not at toxic levels, due to the additive respiratory effects when present with high levels of ketamine."

In other words, the Ketamine in his system caused an issue with his heart, and he passed out in the water. Unfortunately, there was no one around when it happened. As we reported, his assistant found him floating in the water after returning from running errands.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with established human medical and surgical uses. Also, it is used in recreational drug use and other illicit settings, mainly due to its "dissociative" nature, indicating disconnection of mind from body. It also can have short-duration hallucinatory and psychedelic effects. This latter effect explains its use in nightclub/party/rave culture.

According to investigators, it's unclear how Matthey Perry ingested the drug. "The exact method of intake in Mr. Perry's case is unknown. There were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents," it reads.

"He was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. Per the Medical Examiner Investigator's report, his last known treatment was 1 ½ weeks prior to death, and the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine's half-life is 3 to 4 hours or less," it continues.

The wording appears to point toward Perry taking Ketamine in some other way, outside of getting the infusion therapy.

It should be noted, that it's completely legal to get Ketamine therapy in a medical setting by a doctor.

On October 28, Matthew Perry was found unresponsive in the pool at his home. After 911 was called, paramedics responded to the scene, and death was pronounced.

Per the docs, "DME responded, conducted a scene investigation, and then transported Mr. Perry’s body to the DME’s Forensic Science Center for examination."

On October 29, the DME completed an autopsy on Matthew Perry. "Following the completion and receipt of relevant test results, the cause and manner of death were certified," the report continued.