Kit Roberts
A former partner of Matthew Perry has called for an investigation into his doctors after it emerged that he died of the 'acute effects of ketamine'.
Kayti Edwards dated the Friends actor in 2006, and has raised concerns after his cause of death was revealed.
Perry was found dead in his hot tub on 28 October, with initial reports revealing no meth or fentanyl found in the late actor's system.
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However, on 15 December the full medical examiner's report was released stating that Perry died from the 'acute effects of ketamine' and drowning.
It's been reported that Perry was undergoing 'ketamine infusion therapy' before he passed - a treatment used to treat depression and anxiety.
Ketamine can be used as a medical treatment.
The toxicology report stated his last session was a week and a half before his death.
The medical examiner said the amount of ketamine in his system couldn't have been from this session, as it disappears in detectable amounts within three to four hours.
Now, Edwards has suggested that doctors who treated Perry - who struggled with addiction for much of his life - should be investigated.
Speaking to The US Sun, she said: “I’m pretty sure that in Matthew’s brain ketamine infusions at a doctor’s would count as still being sober.
“In his brain it’s not the same as going on the street to buy crack or heroin.
"I think the doctors who had been working with Matthew should be investigated."
The medical officer's report on his death read: "The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine.
"Contributing factors in Mr Perry's death include drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder). The manner of death is accident."
Angelique Campen, an emergency room doctor of at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, explained how ketamine can be used medically.
She told CBS: "We use ketamine frequently in the emergency department as an anesthetic because of its safety profile. There are now uses of ketamine for depression given in clinics.
"Typically it doesn't stop your breathing like opioids and other anesthetics would. ... It has an excellent safety profile, of course with any drug it needs to be given under medical supervision especially an anesthetic."
Perry's death prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from friends, fans, and colleagues, including his co-stars in iconic sitcom Friends.
Perry spoke publicly about his struggle with addiction, including saying how he wanted to use his experiences to help others.
In his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, he wrote: “The best thing about me, bar none, is that if somebody comes to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say ‘yes’ and follow up and do it.
“When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned. And I’m gonna live the rest of my life proving that.”