What Friends star Matthew Perry's initial drug tests reveal

Published By Alexandra Heilbron on Nov 01, 2023

Matthew Perry's Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible ThingInitial drug tests performed on Friends star Matthew Perry have revealed that he did not die from a fentanyl or meth overdose -- neither of these drugs were found in his system.

Testing continues -- the next process will determine if he'd taken any other illegal drugs or an overdose of prescription drugs as investigators search for an answer to his death at age 54 in a hot tub.

Matthew had struggled with drugs and alcohol for most of his life -- he took his first drink at age 14 and was immediately hooked. In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, he wrote: "You can track the trajectory for my addiction if you gauge my weight from season to season. When I'm carrying weight, it's alcohol; when I'm skinny, it's pills; when I have a goatee, it's a lot of pills."

Full results from the autopsy will take between four to six months. ~Alexandra Heilbron


Comments & Discussion

  1. J • 11/2/2023 9:49:52 AM

    Rest in peace. You will be missed. And remember, don't forget to PIVOT!!

  2. Debbie • 11/2/2023 10:26:34 AM

    Only 14? I was drinking a lot earlier than that. It was obviously his pickleball addiction which did him in.

  3. Eva R • 11/2/2023 11:41:37 AM

    He had too many bad or toxic relationships with women. I think some or most of them were only with him for his money & fame and some laughs but he seemed to be a much deeper person. As he got older , the women got younger. But to assume that he died due to an overdose is not fair. Of course he had “drugs” in his system; he had a number of conditions stemming from his conditions after decades of abusing his body. This wonderful actor beat the odds in 2018 after a burst colon, and he unexpectedly passed away in a hot tub - it’s likely that he had a heart attack esp after his obsession with Pickleball and then goes into a hot tub both of which can lead to dehydration. RIP Matthew Perry (you were the best ‘Friend’.

  4. JOE • 11/2/2023 1:29:03 PM

    Why do we need to know why he died? He died... period. We lost a human being who brought joy to our lives. He'll be greatly missed. Rest in Peace my dear Friend. God Bless you my love. S.

  5. Lorena S • 11/2/2023 3:18:46 PM

    How about we focus on the good things he did in life - like making us all laugh and feel happy - how about helping other people with addiction.... I don't care how he died - I'm must sorry he did die. Even though I never met him in person I felt like he was a friend - and that says a lot about the man. Love you Chandler Bing - RIP Matthew

  6. mike • 11/2/2023 4:14:27 PM

    R.I.P you loveable CANADIAN bastard you made us laugh and now that your gone your still going to make us laugh WHY you may ask because they will always be RERUNS that's why no but seriously you seemed like a great guy you will be missed on screen and off screen by your loved ones and folowers

  7. Steven • 11/2/2023 7:42:07 PM

    Why is it when people have everything fame fortune they have such a difficult time managing there life. Fame can sometimes exact a steep price and on occasion the ultimate sacrifice. You will be missed.

  8. Pat • 11/3/2023 12:08:47 AM

    So very tragic. Such a quick-witted, comic genius. Wish he could have met someone to settle down with who could help him heal his pain. Seemed like a lovely man. Terrible to die alone. Haunting last photo in his hot tub. RIP.??????CARPE DIEM, always!

  9. Pat • 11/3/2023 12:12:52 AM

    PS: OMG..Didn't mean to have questions marks after RIP! Intended????????????????

  10. Dee • 11/3/2023 8:56:10 AM

    Sorry to know he died like this. Like many, I hoped he could live the rest of his life in peace and not fall back into drugs. But no one knows how he died yet, so the speculations are futile. I must admit, when I read his book, I thought it was vile that he wished Keanu Reeves was dead. He hated that Keanu was still alive, when it was River Phoenix that Matthew wished were still alive. Nevertheless, I pray he finds the peace he´s been searching for. RIP, Matthew.

  11. Quinn • 11/3/2023 9:04:33 AM

    It's never easy, but it gets better.

  12. MV Sabo • 11/3/2023 2:59:30 PM

    Rest in peace!

  13. Michael Ray Dibble • 11/3/2023 5:20:29 PM

    drugs or no drugs he was a good actor and will be missed yes he died of a young age and very soon. I loved him in 17 again. May you rest in peace.

  14. Arthur • 11/3/2023 6:25:24 PM

    Rip

  15. Al • 11/4/2023 8:58:16 AM

    Most likely it was the COVID vaccine and boosters. It was reported he died of cardiac arrest while in the hot tub. He had played pickleball that morning with a friend who said he was abnormally fatigued. It's now well known that the vaccine causes heart issues and many have gone into cardiac arrest during or after high intensity activity. Very tragic... RIP Mr. Perry.

  16. Karan Chomu • 11/4/2023 4:42:12 PM

    For those who think that Covid-19 infection and Covid vaccine plus boosters may have something to do with it, you are right. A lot of people who had Covid do develop myocarditis which is an inflammation of heart muscle that causes scarring that can be anywhere in the heart muscle. That can cause abnormal heart rythm called arrhythmia. The other issue with Covid is that it causes blood clots in any vessel in the body. That’s why we’ve been seeing some many heart attacks, strokes and pulmonary embolism. The latter is often a cause of sudden death. Those have been well studied for the past 2 years. Whether you were very symptomatic when you had Covid or you had no symptoms, you are at risk and if you took the vaccine, your risk is even higher. People who abuse drugs in the past have a weaker system and are at even a higher risk. Heart symptoms usually start 4 weeks after Covid infection or at anytime after the vaccine. The bad thing is that most doctors wouldn’t tell patients about these.

  17. Karan Chomu • 11/4/2023 4:44:36 PM

    What I meant to say is that whether or not Matthew abused drugs and alcohol before, his passing is sad.

  18. jon doe • 12/1/2023 1:29:05 PM

    i thought it nwas sad when he died as a charater in the show growing pains as SANDY,who of result of drunk driving, now he may have died because drugs wow!he will be missed.


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