It’s been a year since the untimely death of beloved ‘Friends‘ actor Matthew Perry left the world shaken. The weight of his loss still hangs heavy, especially for his family. Perry, widely adored for his role as the sarcastic yet lovable Chandler Bing, was found dead on October 28, 2023, in a tragic ketamine overdose at his Los Angeles home. Now, his family is determined to honor his memory in a way that reflects his lifelong battle and passion for helping others.
In a recent interview with ‘Hello! Canada‘, Perry’s stepfather, Dateline NBC correspondent Keith Morrison, and his sister, Caitlin Morrison, opened up about how they’re coping with the profound loss. Here’s what they said.
Matthew Perry’s Family Remembers The Actor On His First Death Anniversary
Matthew Perry’s family marked the untimely death of the ‘Friends‘ star last year by establishing the ‘Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada‘, a charitable organization aimed at supporting people in recovery from addiction. It was a deeply personal cause for Perry, who struggled with substance abuse and tried to help others like him while he was alive.
Matthew’s sister Caitlin Morrison, who serves as the foundation’s executive director, shared how this project allows her to feel close to her brother even after his passing. “The work that I’m doing now is very selfish because it kind of feels like I’m sitting right next to Matthew working with him every day on something that was important to him,” she explained.
“I have this treasure of getting to keep him very, very close to my life all the time, which is wonderful,” she said while speaking with ‘Hello! Canada‘ on her brother’s first death anniversary.
Matthew’s father Keith Morrison also echoed the sentiment, stating that Matthew would have wanted to be remembered for his commitment to helping others recover from addiction. “What we have decided to do is hang on to that determination and try to do something useful,” he said, adding that even though Perry’s addiction was well-documented, the family was still left reeling by his sudden death.
Matthew Perry’s Death Has Led To Five Arrests So Far
Matthew Perry’s passing has not been without legal consequences. Since his death, five people have been charged in connection to his fatal overdose of Ketamine. Among them are notorious figures such as the “Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha, and Dr. Salvador Plasenica, while another, Eric Fleming, pleaded guilty to distributing the ketamine that ultimately claimed Perry’s life.
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Prosecutors allege that Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, also played a disturbing role, administering multiple injections of the drug on the day of his death, under Perry’s own request.
As the legal battle continues, Perry’s family remains focused on the future, determined to channel their grief into helping others, just as Matthew would have wanted.
