Matthew Perry opened up about his past fentanyl addiction. But did the “Friends” star also die as a result of taking the drug?
The death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry (1969-2023) shocked the world. After the 54-year-old’s sudden death last Saturday (October 28), many are concerned about the possible cause of death. The day after Perry’s death, Los Angeles reported, citing “sources in law enforcement,” that although no drugs were found in the actor’s home, numerous prescription medications were found. Now the always well-informed US celebrity portal is reporting on preliminary toxicological test results.
Matthew Perry is said not to have died from fentanyl or crystal meth
The report again cites local law enforcement authorities. Accordingly, a “less detailed [toxikologischer] “Test” was carried out on Perry. This showed that the star did not die from an overdose of fentanyl or from taking too high a dose of the equally devastating drug crystal meth. Neither substance was found in Perry’s body. This applies However, it should be noted that “even more detailed tests will be carried out” for further toxicological investigations in the future, as “TMZ” continues.
As already mentioned at the beginning, according to TMZ, numerous prescription medications were found in the actor’s house. These include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicine and a COPD medication. COPD is the abbreviation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – this is a permanent lung disease that narrows the airways. Perry had been prescribed these medications for his various ailments.
The cause of death could not be determined for six months
The results of the more detailed toxicological investigation are likely to take some time. They could only be available in four to six months. After the death of the “Friends” star, it was suspected that there could be a connection with the use of the extremely dangerous and powerful drug fentanyl.
In his memoirs “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” published in November 2022, Perry himself described how, just a few years earlier, he had obtained large quantities of oxycodone laced with fentanyl from dealers on the street. Perry is said to have spent $3,000 (around €2,800) on this several times a week.
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid, around 50 times stronger than heroin, and is currently considered the deadliest drug in the United States. As of 2020, of more than 100,000 annual drug overdose deaths, about two-thirds are associated with fentanyl.
These celebrities died from taking fentanyl
Numerous celebrities also succumbed to the effects of the drug. These most recently included rapper Coolio (“Gangsta’s Paradise”, 1963-2022), who died in September 2022, “Euphoria” star Angus Cloud (1998-2023), “The Wire” star Michael K. Williams (1966-2021) and Leandro De Niro Rodriguez (2004-2023), the grandson of Hollywood star Robert De Niro (80).
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
