Matthew Perry’s sister Caitlin Morrison is focused on keeping her brother’s legacy alive one year after his sudden death.
“He had this ability to fill up a room with light,” Caitlin, 43, told Hello! Canada in the first interview since his death, published on Wednesday, October 23. “When people were in a room with [Matthew], there was this magnetic energy. Everybody just had a smile on their face, and they clung to everything that he said.”
Caitlin and her father, Keith Morrison (Perry’s stepfather), also told the publication about their latest project, The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada.
“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,” Caitlin said, noting that it’s been “wonderful” to feel “very close” to her late brother through her role as executive director of the organization.
Perry died in October 2023 at age 54 from the “acute effects of ketamine.” Us Weekly confirmed at the time that the Friends actor was found unconscious in his hot tub after police responded to a call at his California home. A toxicology report released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office in December of that year listed drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (which is used to treat addiction) as contributing factors in his death.
“When [Matthew] suddenly died, it was incredibly shocking,” Keith, 77, told the publication. “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.”
The Dateline correspondent said that his stepson would want to be remembered for “doing something to help people suffering from addiction.” Their foundation was created to honor this.
Matthew Perry Wrote About Ketamine Treatments Before Death
While Perry’s passing was ruled accidental in January, the investigation has since been reopened and five people have been federally charged in connection with his death.
Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and an acquaintance of Perry named Erik Fleming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Dr. Mark Chavez pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine. Iwamasa, Fleming and Chavez are cooperating with the investigation in exchange for a lesser charge.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha (a.k.a the “Ketamine Queen”) have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine.
If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction or mental health, contact the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov or 1-800-662-HELP.
