It’s hard to believe that already one year has passed since beloved Friends star Matthew Perry was found dead at the age of 54 following an accidental drug overdose. The legacy of his work has continued to live on in this time, and in honor of the heartbreaking anniversary, Matthew’s family, including his mom, Suzanne Morrison, appeared on the Today show on Monday to talk about their lost loved one.
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Matthew's family spoke with 'Today' anchor Savannah Guthrie.
His mother, Suzanne Morrison, stepfather, Keith Morrison, and sisters Caitlin, Madeline, and Emily Morrison gathered for the interview to open up about how they are coping as they continue to grieve Matthew one year later. For his mom, that means thinking of him every time she sees or hears something she wishes she could tell him about.
“Even now, something funny will happen ā Iāll see something funny or something ridiculous on the news, l go to call him,” she said. “I have more freedom of a relationship with him now than I ever did. And then it hits me, then hits me so hard that heās not there.”
Suzanne admitted that her son was 'always very lonely in his soul.'
“Iām a very lucky woman, but there was one glitch; there was one problem. I couldnāt conquer it. I couldnāt help him,” she said.
She also admitted to a lesson she’s learned this year: “Youāve got to stop blaming yourself because it tears you up.”
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His sisters shared their fond memories of him.
Caitlin said that it was a “jubilant” event when Matthew would come over, and Emily admitted that though her brother could be “grumpy,” he was also “funny all the time.”
“When the people that he loved succeeded or they were scared, he would do anything for you,” she said, adding, “Really all he ever wanted was to love and be loved,’ said Emily. “He struggled so much to feel peace and I think he got to a place where he did.”
The family is glad those who may have played a role in Matthew's death are being held responsible.
As authorities continue to search for answers about exactly what happened that led to the ketamine overdose that ultimately killed the actor, a trial will begin in March 2025 for two suspects who have been charged, Jasveen Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia. Three others who were charged have already pleaded guilty.
“What Iām hoping, and I think the agencies that theyāve got involved in this are hoping, is that people who have put themselves in the business of supplying people with the drugs that will kill them, that they are now on notice,” Keith said in the interview. “It doesnāt matter what your professional credentials are. Youāre going down, baby.”
The family still feels Matthew with them today.
“I donāt think thereās a single person in this room who doesnāt talk to him,” Caitlin said.
She added, “I donāt think grief ever goes away. I have found a huge amount of meaning in thinking about the fact that this isnāt our tragedy. This happens to people every day.”