Coroner Finds Actor and Martial Artist Richard Norton's Death Was Triggered by Unapproved Peptide Injection

Richard Norton spent five decades in action movies, from trading blows with Chuck Norris in The Octagon to training stars for Mad Max: Fury Road. Now, more than a year and a half after his death, an Australian coroner has found what caused it.

Victorian coroner David Ryan found that Norton’s death in March 2025 was “triggered by” his injection of unapproved peptide products, and recommended that Australia’s medicines regulator consider tighter restrictions, ABC News (Australia) reported. Norton was 75.

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What did the coroner find about Richard Norton’s death?

“I am satisfied that Richard’s death was triggered by his injection of the peptide CJC1295/Ipamorelin,” Ryan wrote, according to Nine.com.au. “Richard had been taking amounts of the medication in excess of the dose prescribed by his medical practitioner. The injection caused an anaphylactic reaction which in turn led to cardiac arrest.”

Key points from the findings, as reported by ABC, Nine and 7NEWS:

• The findings were delivered on Wednesday, Oct. 28 (Australian time).
• Norton’s death is believed to be the first confirmed fatality in Australia from unapproved peptide use.
• A doctor prescribed the products, which were compounded by a licensed pharmacy in Queensland, according to ABC.
• On March 28, 2025, Norton told a nurse at the clinic he had been taking double the prescribed dose and was advised to stick to the prescription. He became unresponsive hours later after another injection, ABC and Nine reported.
• He died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on March 30, 2025, per the coroner’s findings. (Initial reports in 2025 said he died at home in Melbourne.)

7NEWS reported that Norton’s wife told police he had been injecting peptides twice a day for “muscle growth and healing” and had been having reactions since his first injection. He also had other unapproved peptides in his possession, the outlet said.

Why was Norton using peptides?

According to the coroner’s report as described by ABC, Norton, who had asthma, osteoarthritis and prior reconstructions of both shoulders, sought peptide therapy for fatigue, slow physical recovery, shoulder pain and loss of lean muscle mass. He had previously been prescribed peptides by another practitioner. ABC reported that his doctor discussed the experimental nature of the treatment and its risks, and that Norton signed an informed consent form.

What happened with the doctor?

ABC reported that the Medical Board of Australia investigated. An expert reviewer found “insufficient evidence that CJC1295/Ipamorelin is safe, effective or beneficial for human use,” and judged the clinical care itself to be at a reasonably expected standard, but called the doctor’s notes “sparse, inadequate and perfunctory.” The board issued a caution and imposed conditions in July, ABC said. The doctor acknowledged the criticisms and apologized, according to the board’s investigation as reported by ABC.

What happens next on peptides?

Ryan recommended that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia’s drug regulator, review the benefits and risks of peptides such as CJC1295 and Ipamorelin and “consider whether further restrictions ought to be imposed on their use.”

The TGA said it “continues to warn consumers about the risks of unapproved peptides” and is considering whether further regulatory measures may be appropriate, ABC reported. 7NEWS noted that the TGA has recorded other cases of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity tied to these products, and that NSW Health has warned about a sharp rise in peptide-related emergency department visits.

Who was Richard Norton?

Born in Sydney in 1950, Norton trained in judo and karate as a child and went on to master several martial arts, ABC reported in 2025. Career highlights from that coverage:

• Worked security and trained clients on tours for acts including ABBA, the Rolling Stones and James Taylor
• Met Chuck Norris in 1976 and fought him on screen in The Octagon (1980)
• Fight coordinator on Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993, with guest roles in eight episodes
• Hong Kong action films with Sammo Hung, including Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars and Millionaire’s Express
• Trained Charlize Theron for Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), where he also played the Prime Imperator, and worked with Margot Robbie and Will Smith on Suicide Squad (2016)

He contributed to more than 80 films. When he died, Norris called him his “friend and brother.” Norton is survived by his wife, actress Judy Green.

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