The investigation into Matthew Perry’s death, six days after his passing, is raising questions as the cause of death has yet to be released.
Former medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden wonders why the toxicology results are being held up, considering that if Perry had died of a heart attack, it would have been apparent.
Initial tests showed no fentanyl or meth in his system.
'DEVASTATED': 'Friends' cast 'destroyed' by Matthew Perry's death, 'proud' of recovery amid toxicology findings, show's former director says. https://t.co/8K44DO8ka5 pic.twitter.com/509zID1ho8
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 2, 2023
The absence of information about the presence of Vicodin and alcohol, substances Perry had struggled with, is also curious.
Perry’s history of addiction and surgeries raises concerns about drowning or heat stroke.
The investigation will likely analyze hair follicles for a longer history of substance use.
“If Matthew Perry had died of a heart attack, that would be immediately apparent, and they would have said so,” Baden said. “Where we stand now is in their relief part of the toxicology, and that indicates that for some reason they’re holding up the rest of it.”
“The two important substances to refer to is the Vicodin, which is an opioid narcotic, and alcohol, which are the two things that he, according to his biography, got into the most trouble about,” Baden said.
“We have to see what happens with the further release of the toxicology, because after six days now, they know if there was any natural cause of death. If he had a heart attack, that being the most common cause of death, or heart disease.”
Following the death of Matthew Perry, @ABC News confirmed an autopsy has been completed, but the cause of death is unknown and a toxicology report could take weeks. @KaynaWhitworth reports as Friends castmates release statement. https://t.co/yeImJ236br pic.twitter.com/W05kZdrhO4
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) October 30, 2023
He continued, “If that were the cause of death – and people can have heart attacks while swimming or in hot tubs – they would have known right away. And, that would be something they would have released because that would be kind to the family without delving into the drugs that he had previously had trouble with.”
“What I would think, at this point is there’s no evidence of natural condition that would cause death,” Baden said. “We don’t know about drowning. We know he was dead when the body was found, but whether or not he inhaled water – they know, but they haven’t released yet.”
“They have a lot more information about what was present and what wasn’t present,” Baden said. “When they’re (reportedly) only releasing the two drugs that a lot of attention is paid to – fentanyl and meth – it just is curious as to why they haven’t released information about the absence of Vicodin and alcohol, which have been the ones the most pertinent to Matthew Perry’s history.”
“Once the decision has been made whether there are drugs present, and are they in amounts that could cause or contribute to death, then the concern is whether or not any of these drugs under the circumstances would have caused him to drown. There has to be evidence of water in the lungs.”
“Given the fact that there might be drugs, one has to decide whether it’s accident, suicide or homicide,” Baden added. “That depends on the circumstances, the police investigation. Was he taking drugs the way he used to and therefore the death may be unintended?”
Perry’s “Friends” castmates expressed devastation over the loss.
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” read the “Friends” cast’s statement. “There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”
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