Matthew Perry’s Autopsy Shows Surgical Levels of Drugs

Matthew Perry‘s autopsy reveals the actor had levels of ketamine in his system at the time of his death, typically only used in monitored “surgical-anesthesiologic care situations,” Knewz.com can report. The report notes the ketamine in his system at the time of his death could not have been from any legitimate infusion therapy.

Perry would have turned 56 on August 19. His family and friends are still grieving his loss. The Friends star was found floating face down and unresponsive in the hot tub of his home in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles on October 28, 2023. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s official autopsy report, Perry’s death was a result of acute effects of ketamine and subsequent drowning. He had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, but according to the report, his last known treatment was more than a week before his death, meaning his deadly dose came from someone else. “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,” the report concludes.

Ketamine is a “dissociative anesthetic with established human medical and surgical uses,” per the report. However, it is also popular in recreational use, mainly due to its “dissociative” nature, which can lead to a “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.” While Perry’s method of taking the ketamine was never uncovered, the coroner’s report confirmed the large amount discovered in his body. “Toxicology testing reveals ketamine levels at 3540 ng/ml (3.54 microgram/ml or mg/L) in a peripheral blood source, and 3271 ng/ml (3.27 microgram/ml or mg/L) in a central blood source in Mr. Perry’s system. “For context, in monitored surgical-anesthesiologic care, levels for general anesthesia are typically in the 1000-6000 ng/ml ranges.”

Last month, it was reported that Perry’s doctor, Salvador Plasencia, confessed to four counts of distribution of ketamine. He now faces a maximum of 40 years behind bars. Plasencia was said to have allegedly kept supplying drugs to Perry up to a point where the TV star’s addiction worsened, and he turned to street dealers to score ketamine cheaper and quicker. Federal prosecutors said that in the weeks leading up to Perry’s death, he fell back into addiction, which “spiraled out of control” during the fall of 2023. The doctors’ charges include one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine, and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation into Perry’s death.

In a text exchange between Plasencia and a partner, the pair discussed how much they were going to charge Perry, with Plasencia writing, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” and “Let’s find out.” Between September and October 2023, Plasencia and two others distributed approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry, prosecutors said. They profited about $55,000, charging the actor $2,000 for a vial of ketamine that cost them $12. On certain occasions, Plasencia injected Perry with ketamine and watched as the actor would “freeze and his blood pressure spike.” Investigators said the dishonest doctors “took advantage of Perry’s addiction to enrich themselves,” with Plasencia saying he “wanted to be Mr. Perry’s sole source of supply for drugs.”