Investigation reveals "Friends" star Matthew Perry's dual cause of death

Perry was found dead in his villa in Los Angeles. Just a week prior to his passing, the actor had shared a picture on Instagram, showing him enjoying a warm soak in a hot tub on his property. Sadly, it was in this hot tub that his body was discovered a few days later.

From the outset, the circumstances surrounding Perry's death were highly emotional and contentious. The initial conjecture was drowning. However, given Perry's openly acknowledged troubled past, including struggles with various addictions, suspicions eventually focused on substance abuse. The final truth appears to lie somewhere in between.

The report issued in mid-December of the previous year revealed the twin causes of Perry's death. While drowning was a factor, it was compounded by the presence of significant levels of ketamine in his system. Perry had written about his experience with the drug in his autobiography. In "Friends, Lovers, and that Big Scary Thing", he stated, "Taking K [ketamine] felt like being hit in the head with a big, happy shovel. And the hangover was heavy. Ketamine was not for me".

The high levels of ketamine found in Perry's body prompted his former partner, Kayti Edwards, to call for an investigation. Speaking with American publication, "The Sun", in the latter half of December, Edwards contended that Perry must have obtained the substance illicitly, as he had already consumed his prescribed dose. At the time, Perry was undergoing a ketamine-based treatment as prescribed by medical professionals.

Edwards argued that physicians should be questioned about the matter. She insisted that he wouldn't have procured the substance from illicit sources, and suggested a medical worker could have easily provided it. In the past, she herself had procured illegal drugs for Perry though her claims have not been acted upon.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the investigation into Matthew Perry's death has been officially closed, with the Los Angeles Police Department declaring it an "accident". Additionally, the district coroner has also discontinued any actions related to this case.

Ketamine's intense effects were deemed the cause of death, augmented by contributing factors including drowning, coronary disease, and the presence of buprenorphine - a prescription drug often used in treatment for opioid addiction. Perry's body tested negative for alcohol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl.