Matthew Perry's step-dad and sister Caitlin break silence on his death almost one year on

Matthew Perry's stepfather Keith Morrison and his younger sister Caitlin Morrison have spoken out nearly a year after the Friends star's tragic death

Nearly a year after the tragic passing of 'Friends' actor Matthew Perry, his stepfather and younger sister have spoken out.

Matthew, who was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the popular NBC sitcom from 1994 to 2004, died aged 54 on 28 October, 2023. His death was attributed to the "acute effects" of anaesthetic ketamine, following three injections of the drug. Five individuals have since been arrested in connection with his death.

In a joint interview with HELLO! Canada, Keith Morrison, Matthew's stepfather, and Caitlin Morrison, his half-sister, opened up about their efforts to honour his memory. Keith, 77, who married Matthew's mother in 1981, shared: "(Matthew) would like to be remembered for doing something to help people suffering from addiction."

He described the actor's sudden death as "incredibly shocking", adding: "Anybody who has lost a child will tell you that, even if you are in some way prepared for the possibility, it’s shattering. " He continued: "What we have decided to do is hang on to that determination and try to do something useful."

Caitlin, 43, now serves as the executive director of the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada. According to the foundation's website, "The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada was lovingly founded by Matthew's family and friends. We work to honour him by carrying on his commitment to helping others through recovery."

She told HELLO! that her work allows her to feel as though "I’m sitting right next to Matthew, working with him every day on something that was important to him." She added: "I have this treasure of getting to keep him very, very close to my life all the time, which is wonderful."

Caitlin, who is not affiliated with the U. S. Matthew Perry Foundation that was set up following his passing, opened up to HELLO! about the late star's charisma: "When people were in a room with (him), there was this magnetic energy. " She fondly remembered how "Everybody just had a smile on their face and they clung to everything that he said."

The globally recognised icon died in October 2023 when "acute effects" of ketamine led to him to losing consciousness and drowning in his hot tub, a December 2023 autopsy report revealed.

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