Unseen battles and tragic end: inside the turmoil of a beloved TV icon

The world knew Matthew Perry for his charm and wit on-screen, but off-screen, his life was a tapestry of personal battles and hidden struggles, as revealed by Kayti Edwards, Matthew Perry’s former flame and assistant. Their romance blossomed back in 2006, shortly after the curtains closed on “Friends,” and their connection endured beyond their split, with Kayti later becoming Perry’s assistant in 2011.

Perry’s untimely demise on October 28, 2023, shocked fans worldwide. Found unresponsive in his Los Angeles home, his death was attributed to the acute effects of ketamine. Kayti’s last memory of Matthew Perry was in Malibu, during his engagement to Molly Hurwitz—a relationship that Perry hoped would last but ended in June 2021, post the “Friends” reunion special.

Amidst the grief, allegations surfaced about Perry’s aggressive behaviour, including a reported incident where he threw a coffee table at Hurwitz in 2021. Kayti, however, paints a different picture of Perry, one that doesn’t align with violence. She suggests that drug addiction could turn anyone’s personality on its head, leading to uncharacteristic aggression, a side of Perry she never witnessed personally.

In the months leading to his passing, Kayti noticed a stark decline in Perry’s appearance, signalling deeper issues. Despite his struggles, she remembers Perry as a steadfast friend. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the complex lives behind public personas, highlighting the often unseen battles with addiction and the importance of compassion and understanding in their wake.