Matthew Perry died from effects of drug ketamine, coroner says
LOS ANGELES (AP/PTI): Matthew Perry died from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine, according to the results of an autopsy on the 54-year-old “Friends” actor released Friday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said in the autopsy report that Perry also drowned in “the heated end of his pool,” but that it was a secondary factor in his Oct. 28 death, deemed an accident.
People close to Perry told investigators that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, an experimental treatment used to treat depression and anxiety. But the medical examiner said the levels of ketamine in Perry’s body were in the range used for general anesthesia during surgery, and that his last treatment 1 1/2 weeks earlier wouldn’t explain those levels. The drug is typically metabolized in a matter of hours.
The report says coronary artery disease and buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder, also contributed.
The amount of ketamine detected “would be enough to make him lose consciousness and lose his posture and his ability to keep himself above the water,” said Dr. Andrew Stolbach, a medical toxicologist with Johns Hopkins Medicine who reviewed the autopsy report at the request of The Associated Press.
“Using sedative drugs in a pool or hot tub, especially when you’re alone, is extremely risky and, sadly, here it’s fatal,” said Stolbach, who noted that both ketamine and buprenorphine can be used safely.
Perry was declared dead after being found unresponsive at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. Investigators performed the autopsy the following day.
The actor had taken drugs in the past but had been “reportedly clean for 19 months,” according to the report.
Perry had played pickleball earlier in the day, the report says, and his assistant, who lives with him, found him face down in the pool after returning from errands.
The assistant told investigators Perry had not been sick, had not made any health complaints, and had not shown evidence of recent alcohol or drug use.
Postmortem blood tests showed “high levels” of ketamine in his system, which could have raised his blood pressure and heart rate and dulled his impulse to breathe.
Buprenorphine, commonly used in opioid addiction and found in therapeutic levels in Perry’s blood, could have contributed to the breathing problem, the autopsy said. It would have been risky to mix the central nervous system depressant with ketamine “due to the additive respiratory effects when present with high levels of ketamine,” according to the autopsy report.
The report said his coronary artery disease would have made him more susceptible to the drugs’ effects.
Perry was among the biggest television stars of his generation when he played Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC’s megahit sitcom “Friends.”
His castmates, like many of his friends, family and fans, were stunned by his death, and paid him loving tribute in the weeks that followed.
Perry was open about discussing his struggles with addiction dating back to his time on “Friends.”
“I loved everything about the show but I was struggling with my addictions which only added to my sense of shame,” he wrote in his 2022 memoir. “I had a secret and no one could know.”
A woman whose name is redacted in the autopsy report told investigators that Perry had been in good spirits when she spoke to him a few days earlier, but had been taking testosterone shots which she said were making him “angry and mean.” She said he had quit smoking two weeks earlier.
The woman said he had been receiving the ketamine infusions for his mental health, and that his doctor had been giving them to him less often because he had been feeling well.
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic approved by U.S. health regulators for use during surgery, but in the past decade it has emerged as an experimental treatment for a range of psychiatric and hard-to-treat conditions, including depression, anxiety and chronic pain.
While not approved by regulators, doctors are free to prescribe drugs for these alternate uses if they think their patients could benefit, and hundreds of clinics across the U.S. offer ketamine infusions and other formulations for various health conditions.
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Andhra Pradesh CM pushes for population growth, joint family values on Ugadi
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced a population management policy aimed at boosting the state's population, while emphasising the need to strengthen family systems.
The Chief Minister said efforts are being made to revive the joint family system to ensure better care for elders and enhanced social stability.
“Through a population management policy, we are taking steps to increase population again…we must strengthen families and values in society,” Naidu said while addressing Ugadi celebrations organised by the government in Vijayawada.
He called for returning to value-based living, ensuring support for immediate family members.
Naidu reaffirmed his government's commitment to providing economic, social and health security to all people, while promoting joint family values and planning measures to encourage such systems.
He said schemes such as ‘Talli ki Vandanam’, which offers Rs 15,000 annual financial aid for school going children, will support family growth and social security.
Despite financial constraints, he said the state government has extended support to the poor with a continued focus on welfare measures.
He noted that reservoirs currently have a storage level of about 65 per cent and water will be released for irrigation purpose from May 15, encouraging farmers to prepare for heavy sowing during Kharif season.
The CM said the state government has introduced a water security policy to ensure water availability for drinking, agriculture, industries and environmental needs.
He highlighted that governance will increasingly become technology-driven, enabling better response to natural disasters and climatic variations.
Referring to the Sanjeevani project, he said it aims to strengthen public health and digital health records will enable personalised medical care in future.
According to him, the TDP, BJP and Janasena alliance was formed to ensure welfare, development and good governance.
He said his government is focusing on uplifting the poorest sections through targeted policies.
The Chief Minister said regional economic corridors centred around Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Amaravati will drive development, along with improved logistics connectivity.
He noted that over Rs 1,900 crore has been provided so far to families displaced due to the Polavaram project, while criticising the previous YSRCP government between 2019 and 2024 for not extending compensation.
Naidu reiterated that the Polavaram project will be completed before Godavari Pushkarams (kumbh mela like festival), ensuring gravity-based water supply to the Krishna delta and Visakhapatnam.
He said around Rs 5,000 crore more is required for the project and thanked the Centre for financial support.
Calling Amaravati the "people’s capital", he said the NDA coalition government is implementing short, medium and long-term plans for overall development.
He underscored that employment generation remains a priority, with a job calendar released for 10,060 posts, along with recruitment of nearly 16,000 teachers and over 5,700 police constables.
Naidu claimed that about 30,600 government jobs and over 6.2 lakh private sector jobs have been created.
The CM said notifications for job recruitment will be issued between May 15 and October 15, ensuring opportunities for youth.
He also highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has secured the top position in consumer justice, reflecting the government’s focus on protecting consumer rights.
Naidu expressed confidence that by 2047, the state will become a wealthy, healthy and happy society, achieving global recognition for Telugu people.
Meanwhile, Naidu signed the first file on the occasion of Ugadi, approving financial assistance under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for thousands of beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister cleared Rs 55.63 crore to extend financial and medical assistance to 6,787 beneficiaries, as part of welfare support to the poor.
Meanwhile, the Ugadi awards were presented by the Chief Minister to artists who have made distinguished contributions across various fields.
He also presented mementoes to eminent artists and extended his congratulations for their accomplishments.
A total of 38 individuals received Kala Ratna awards, while 122 were honoured with Ugadi awards.
