Matthew Perry’s family breaks silence on actor’s shocking death

No parent should ever have to endure the pain of burying their child. It’s a heartbreaking reality, and eventually, we all have to come to terms with the fact that death is part of life. For Suzanne Morrison, Matthew Perry’s mother, her final conversation with her son felt eerily like a warning about what was to come.

In an emotional interview with TODAY, Morrison opened up about the last precious moment she shared with the beloved Friends star before he passed away. She described how she sensed something was off, as if he was saying goodbye in a way that hinted at his fate.

Matthew had just shown her one of his new homes when he expressed his love for her. “He came up to me and said, ‘I love you so much, and I’m so happy to be with you now,’” she recalled. At the time, it didn’t strike her as anything unusual, but she later thought, “How long has it been since we’ve had a conversation like that? It’s been years.” She felt an undeniable sense that he was aware of something that would soon happen, and while he reassured her by saying, “I’m not frightened anymore,” it left her feeling deeply worried.

Tragically, Matthew Perry died at the age of 54 from an accidental ketamine overdose on October 28, 2023. He was found unresponsive in his hot tub, and it was reported that he had drowned due to the drug’s effects.

Now, almost a year after his passing, his stepfather, Keith Morrison, and his sister, Caitlin Morrison, have opened up about their grief in an interview with HELLO! Canada. Caitlin, who is 43, shared her thoughts for the first time regarding her brother’s death. She mentioned that her role as the executive director of the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada gives her a sense of connection to him. “It 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 keeping him very close to my life all the time, which is wonderful.”

Caitlin reminisced about the joyful moments spent with her brother, highlighting how he had a remarkable ability to light up a room. “When people were around Matthew, there was this magnetic energy. Everyone would be smiling and hanging on to his every word,” she said.

In an op-ed for the Toronto Star, Caitlin reflected on her loss, noting that while her pain is not unique, it feels “unusual” because of the public nature of his life and death. “Loss is a lonely business, and sharing my loss with the world took some of the loneliness out of it,” she wrote.

Keith Morrison, a Dateline correspondent and married to Suzanne, also expressed his shock over Matthew’s death, despite being aware of his struggles with sobriety. He said, “Anyone who has lost a child will tell you that even if you’re somewhat prepared for the possibility, it’s still devastating.”

Matthew battled addiction throughout his life, but he was dedicated to helping others facing similar challenges through the Matthew Perry Foundation, which operates in both the U.S. and Canada. Keith emphasized that the family intends to continue his legacy, stating that Matthew wanted to be remembered for his efforts to support those dealing with addiction. They are committed to “holding on to that determination and trying to do something meaningful” in his honor.