Richard Norton Died After Ignoring Nurse's Warning About Peptide Use, Coroner's Report Finds

Actor Richard Norton died at age 75 from cardiac arrest following the self-administration of peptide therapy, according to a newly released coroner's report. Norton passed away on March 30, 2025.

According to the report obtained by People, Norton had recently commenced peptide therapy after expressing interest in it to his medical practitioner. He was approved for the treatment on March 19. On March 28, three days after telling his doctor he felt well from the treatments, Norton requested a replacement for his peptide vial, stating he had dropped and broken the original.

He was given a replacement along with two additional peptides. During this interaction, Norton informed a nurse that he was taking double the prescribed dose. The nurse warned him to adhere to the prescribed dosage.

Norton was reportedly taking the growth hormone peptides CJC1295 and Ipamorelin. After injecting the second dose of peptides on the evening of March 28, his wife, Judy Green, reported that Norton complained of feeling "hot and flushed" before collapsing and becoming unresponsive around 9 p.m.

Green administered CPR until paramedics arrived before 9:30 p.m. Clinicians noted that Norton suffered anaphylaxis followed by cardiac arrest after injecting the peptides. The coroner believes this is the first death in Australia linked to peptides.

Peptides, chains of amino acids, have been promoted for various health benefits, including muscle growth and fat loss. However, many peptides are not FDA-approved, making the market largely unregulated.

In photos taken shortly before his death, Norton appeared healthy. One photo posted on March 19, 2025, shows him with martial arts instructor Kacey Chong after a training session. His wife shared a tribute on Instagram following his death, stating, "I am numb and devastated, I have no words I have lost my everything."