Coroner links Australian actor Richard Norton's death to unauthorized peptide injection
A coroner determined that the March 2025 cardiac arrest of actor and martial artist Richard Norton was caused by an overdose of the peptide CJC1295/Ipamorelin, prompting calls for tighter regulation.
A Melbourne coroner has concluded that the cardiac arrest that killed actor and martial artist Richard Norton in March 2025 was triggered by an injection of the peptide CJC1295/Ipamorelin. The report states Norton injected amounts exceeding the dose prescribed by his doctor, leading to an anaphylactic reaction and subsequent cardiac arrest.
"I am satisfied that Richard’s death was triggered by his injection of the peptide CJC1295/Ipamorelin," coroner David Ryan wrote.
The investigation noted that Norton had previously been prescribed peptides by another practitioner for fatigue, reduced recovery, shoulder pain and loss of lean muscle mass, and that he had signed an informed consent form acknowledging the experimental nature of the treatment. On March 28, Norton told a nurse he was taking double the prescribed dosage and was advised to adhere to the prescription. He became unresponsive later that day and died in hospital on March 30.
Ryan recommended that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review the risks and benefits of such drugs and consider stricter guidelines. Norton, who appeared in films alongside Chuck Norris, Liam Neeson, Charlize Theron, Jackie Chan and Margot Robbie, is survived by his wife, actress Judy Green.