Topics: Celebrity, Matthew Perry, Mental Health, Health, US News, Friends
Matthew Perry’s family are speaking out on his tragic death one year in, saying they've tried to turn the 'shattering' news into something positive.
The Friends star died at the age of 54 in his Pacific Palisades home on 28 October last year.
An autopsy found Perry had died as a result of the 'acute effects of ketamine', with 'drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine' also being listed as contributing factors.
In May this year, five people were charged in connection to Perry’s death, including the actor’s personal assistant, two doctors, and two drug dealers. Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, director Erik Fleming and doctor Mark Chavez all pleaded guilty to supplying Perry with the fatal ketamine. The second doctor is currently awaiting trial.
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As Perry’s death anniversary approaches, his stepdad Keith Morrison and his sister Caitlin — husband and daughter to Perry’s mum, Suzanne Morrison— are reflecting on their devastating loss and how they’re continuing the star’s legacy in helping those struggling with addiction.
In an interview with People, Caitlin, who is the executive director of the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, said her work makes her feel 'like I'm sitting right next to Matthew, working with him every day on something that was important to him.'
"I have this treasure of getting to keep him very, very close to my life all the time, which is wonderful," she said of her work for the Canadian organisation.
Shortly after Perry’s passing, US organisation Matthew Perry Foundation was founded, though this bears no direct links with the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, which also has Perry’s mum Suzanne on the board.
"He would like to be remembered for doing something to help people suffering from addiction,” Keith added.
The journalist, who married Perry’s mum Suzanne in 1981, described Perry’s death as 'incredibly shocking'.
"Anybody who has lost a child will tell you that, even if you are in some way prepared for the possibility, it’s shattering.
"What we have decided to do is hang on to that determination and try to do something useful.”
Looking back on her fond memories with her brother, Caitlin said he 'had this ability to fill up a room with light. When people were in a room with [Matthew], there was this magnetic energy.'
Much like his Friends character, fan-favourite Chandler Bing, Perry could make everybody laugh effortlessly.
"Everybody just had a smile on their face and they clung to everything that he said," she said.
