The date line star Keith Morrison talked about the death of his stepson Matthew Perryincluding details of how friendship the actor was in the weeks leading up to his death and the impact his death had on his family.

In an interview with CBC Q with Tom PowerMorrison said: “Ask any parent who has lost a child. It’s one thing for me – I’m his stepfather and I was close, but I’m the stepfather. I’m not his mother. Ask any mother what it’s like to lose a child. It doesn’t matter if he’s five years old or 55 years old.”

Perry died on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54 and in December 2023, an autopsy report revealed that his death was ruled an accidental overdose caused by the acute effects of ketamine. A year before his death, Perry wrote the memoir Friends, lovers and the big terrible thingdetailing his lifelong struggle with addiction.

“A few months before (the book), he could barely walk from his house to his car,” Morrison recalled. “The idea that he could actually sit down and write a book was wild – and yet he did. And that helped keep him clean, I think. I really thought it would work this time. But then again, this is the drug addict who understands all about drugs.”

Morrison described Perry as a “world-class drug expert” before explaining how, after getting sober, the actor decided to undergo ketamine infusion therapy to treat his depression and anxiety.

“He told us repeatedly how effective it was at erasing any depression,” Morrison said. “His mother was very suspicious about it. She didn’t think ketamine was a good idea, but he kept saying… “It’s not addictive. That’s the great thing about this drug. It is revolutionary. It will eradicate depression. But his addictive personality was so strong that, you know, when the treatment stopped, he couldn’t take it anymore.”

Morrison noted that despite Perry wanting to improve, his fame and fortune made it easier for him to get whatever he wanted. “He would have been in a hospital somewhere or a rehab center and he had a girl outside who was running to get drugs and secretly bring them to him,” he said. “He tried to get some opioids FedExed to a major hospital in New York while he was being treated for drug addiction.”

Perry’s death came as a shock to many, however, as Morrison said: “As Matthew himself said several times in the last few years of his life, ‘If I die suddenly, people will be shocked, possibly, but not surprised .’”

In August, five people were arrested regarding Perry’s death, including his longtime assistant and doctors. The Department of Justice announced that their investigation revealed a “vast underground criminal network” that showed those arrested “took advantage” of Perry by selling him ketamine.

Morrison, a veteran reporter, told the CBC he is very familiar with this type of case and the furor it causes.

“Over the years, I’ve sat across from thousands of people who have felt this very anger,” he explained. “So I guess my perspective is a little bit different. Suzanne (Perry’s mother) is angry, especially at the people she trusted more than anyone else. I’m just very sad and not surprised. The venality of some of these professionals is just… it still shocks me.”

Morrison also spoke about Perry’s relationship with his mother, saying: “He and his mother were as close as any two people I knew… they clearly loved each other quite intensely. But also, you know, when they fought, they fought hard.”

The Canadian journalist detailed how Perry and Suzanne spent a day together just days before he died. “She said (it was) one of the sweetest days they’ve had together in a long time, and he seemed very happy,” Morrison said. “(He) actually told her… that he’s not afraid to die anymore. I think he related that to being able to get it all out in the book and go and tell people about (his addiction issues). It was no longer a shameful secret.”

After Perry’s death, his family established two new foundations in his name, including The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canadawhich was launched on Thursday evening (October 24). They also set up a similar foundation in the US to support those recovering from addiction.

“(We work with) some amazing people who provide opportunities and ideas for addiction treatment that exceed anything (Matthew) could find anywhere to help him,” Morrison said. “Even if, you know, he had endless money to throw at the problem, there wasn’t the kind of treatment that would solve it for him or help him solve it for good.”

Perry’s younger sister, Caitlin Morrison, is executive director of the Matthew Perry Foundation in Canada, which she said makes her feel closer to her brother.

“(I feel) like I’m sitting right next to Matthew, working with him every day on something that was important to him,” Caitlin said. HELLO! Canada. “I have this treasure of keeping him very, very close to my life all the time, which is wonderful.”

In it bio on the foundation website, Caitlin wrote that she “will always consider herself Matthew’s little sister – a wide-eyed girl who thought (still thinks) that her brother was the coolest human being who ever lived.”

She added that “The best thing I ever learned was that no matter how many times you fail, you haven’t failed until you stop trying.”