Matthew Perry’s mom remembers tender moments before his death: EXCLUSIVE

Matthew Perry’s mom, Suzanne Morrison, is speaking out almost a year after the Friends star’s death.

In an intimate interview with TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Morrison recounted the tender moments she shared with her son before his death.

“What’s interesting is that he had a period shortly before his death where he was showing me one of his new houses,” she said. “He came up to me and said, ‘I love you so much and I’m so happy to be with you now. And I’m so…” It was almost like a premonition or something. I didn’t think about it at the time, but I thought, “How long has it been since we talked like this?” Years have passed.”

Perry was the only child in Morrison and ex-husband John Bennett Perry. After the divorce, Morrison married. Dateline correspondentt Keith Morrison and they had four children together. John Bennett Perry also remarried and had a child with his second wife.

Reflecting on her final days with the actor, Suzanne Morrison said: “What was going to happen around him was inevitable and he felt it very strongly.”

“But he said, ‘I’m not afraid anymore,'” she continued. “And that bothered me.”

Perry died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54, after being found in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the actor died from acute effects of ketamine. An autopsy report obtained by NBC News in December 2023 detailed that ketamine likely caused him to lose consciousness and drown, and his existing coronary artery disease exacerbated the effects of ketamine on his heart.

Ketamine is “a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects.” according to the US Drug Enforcement Agency. Ketamine can also be used as a treatment for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

Perry’s autopsy report said his last known treatment was a week and a half before his death. Over the years, the actor has spoken openly about his drug and alcohol use and his battle with depression.

The autopsy report noted that Perry was “reportedly clean for 19 months” before his death. It is not specified whether the actor had a relapse before his death.

In August of this year, Los Angeles prosecutors said Perry used ketamine unsupervised and became addicted. Five people, including his personal assistant, two doctors and alleged drug dealer — were charged in connection with his death. Authorities said five people, aware of Perry’s addiction, took advantage of his vulnerable condition for profit.

“They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew that what they were doing put Mr. Perry in great danger,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said at a news conference. NBC News. “But they did it anyway. Ultimately, these defendants were more interested in profiting from Mr. Perry than in caring for his well-being.”

After the charges were filed, Perry’s family said in a statement that while they “were and still are heartbroken” by the actor’s death, “it was helpful to know that law enforcement took his case very seriously. We hope justice will be served.”