Coroner: Peptides Triggered Fatal Heart Attack in Actor Richard Norton

WHO:

NBC News - Richard Norton was an Australian actor and martial artist who died at age 75.

NBC News - Melbourne-based coroner David Ryan concluded that Norton’s death was triggered by a peptide injection.

NBC News - Dr. Jerzy Muchnicki prescribed Norton peptides after discussing the experimental treatment and its potential risks; Norton signed a consent form.

NBC News - Norton’s wife, Judy Green, called Muchnicki’s office after Norton collapsed.

NBC News - Muchnicki accepted accountability, apologized “for his errors in judgment,” and said he would no longer prescribe peptides.

NBC News - Norton faced Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan in movies, trained Ben Affleck, Tom Hardy, Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie, and worked as a stuntman and bodyguard for David Bowie and Stevie Nicks.

NY Post - Norton worked with A-listers including Margot Robbie and Scarlett Johansson.

WHAT:

NBC News - The coroner’s report said Norton’s heart attack was triggered by his injection of CJC1295 and Ipamorelin after he took more than the prescribed dose.

NBC News - Norton told a nurse he had been administering double the prescribed dose; the nurse advised him to use only the prescribed dose from the following week.

NBC News - The report faulted Muchnicki for authorizing a replacement vial without checking a nurse’s record of Norton’s dosing error or speaking directly with Norton about proper use and possible misuse or adverse effects.

NBC News - Norton’s death was reported as the first confirmed Australian fatality linked to unapproved peptides.

NBC News - Coroner Ryan recommended tougher Therapeutic Goods Administration restrictions on unapproved peptides.

NBC News - HHS authorized compounding pharmacies to produce six peptides—BPC-157, epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, semax and TB-500—despite FDA scientists’ conclusion that safety and effectiveness data were insufficient.

NY Post - Norton took part in a martial arts training session shortly before his death; final photos showed him looking fit and healthy.

WHERE:

NBC News - The coroner’s report was filed in the Coroners Court of Victoria; Ryan is based in Melbourne, Australia.

NBC News - Norton was taken to a hospital after collapsing.

WHEN:

NBC News - The report said Norton consulted Muchnicki while recovering from shoulder surgery and complained of fatigue and pain.

NBC News - Norton reported feeling well and said peptide therapy was improving his symptoms at a follow-up consultation.

NBC News - After reporting that he had broken a vial and requesting a replacement, Norton told the nurse he had better sleep, less pain and greater exercise capacity, with no side effects.

NBC News - After administering a second dose, Norton felt hot and flushed, collapsed and became unresponsive; he died two days after being hospitalized.

WHY:

NBC News - Norton sought peptide therapy for fatigue and pain and said it improved his sleep, pain and exercise capacity.

NBC News - The article describes peptides as small proteins promoted for benefits including faster healing, younger-looking skin, better sleep and longer life.

HOW:

NBC News - The report states the injection caused an anaphylactic reaction, which led to cardiac arrest.

NBC News - Green told Muchnicki’s office that Norton collapsed after administering a second peptide dose.

(UPDATED October 30, 2026 20:00 UTC)

Australian actor and martial artist Richard Norton died after a peptide injection triggered cardiac arrest. A coroner found Norton took more than prescribed and faulted his doctor’s follow-up. The doctor apologized and said he would stop prescribing peptides; the coroner urged tighter restrictions.