Keith Morrison, Matthew Perry’s stepfather, and Caitlin Morrison, his half-sister, are thinking back on the “Friends” star’s passing a year after he was discovered comatose in his jacuzzi following a deadly ketamine overdose.
The abrupt death of [Matthew] was quite distressing. Anyone who has lost a child will tell you that it is devastating, even if you are somehow ready for the prospect,” Keith, a “Dateline” correspondent, said in an interview with Hello! Canada on Wednesday.
In order to pay tribute to the late actor “by carrying on his commitment to helping others through recovery,” Keith and Caitlin have directed their sorrow into the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada.
In the interview, Keith also stated, “He would like to be remembered for doing something to help people suffering from addiction.”
As the executive director of the charity, Caitlin defines herself on its website as “a wide-eyed girl who thought (still thinks) her brother was the coolest human being who has ever existed”.
She told Hello! Canada, “The work I’m doing right now is really selfish because it feels like I’m sitting right next to Matthew, working with him every day on something that was important to him.”
“I get to have him in my life constantly, which is a little treasure.”
The 43-year-old Caitlin also recalled Perry’s “ability to fill up a room with light.”
She claimed that “there was this magnetic energy when people were in a room with [Matthew].” “Everyone was beaming and paid close attention to everything he said.”
Suzanne Morrison, the mother of the late actor, is also a member of the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada’s board of directors. After divorcing Matthew’s father, John Bennett Perry, she wed Keith.
Caitlin and three more children from her marriage to Keith are the children of Suzanne.
At the age of 54, Matthew was declared deceased on October 28, 2023.
His family said in a statement following the announcement that they were “heartbroken by the tragic loss of” the cherished celebrity.
They remarked, “As an actor and a friend, Matthew brought so much joy to the world.” “We are grateful for the amazing outpouring of love, and you all meant so much to him.”
Five individuals, including two physicians, were accused in August with conspiring to distribute ketamine in connection with Matthew’s death.
Earlier this month, San Diego physician Dr. Mark Chavez entered into a plea agreement with authorities, becoming the third individual to confess to the crime.
