Richard Norton death linked to unapproved peptide injections

A coroner has concluded that the death of 75-year-old Australian actor and martial artist Richard Norton was triggered by the injection of unapproved peptides. Norton, a veteran stuntman and fight choreographer who worked with stars such as Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan, died on March 30, 2025, following a cardiac arrest.

Melbourne-based coroner David Ryan found that Norton had been administering double the prescribed dose of CJC-1295 and ipamorelin, two substances intended to stimulate growth hormone production for anti-aging and muscle recovery. The report stated that the injections caused an anaphylactic reaction, which subsequently led to the fatal cardiac arrest.

The case is believed to be the first confirmed fatality in Australia linked to unapproved peptides. Following the findings, the coroner recommended that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) review the safety and therapeutic benefits of these substances. He suggested considering stricter regulations, such as moving them from prescription-only drugs to a category allowing only for clinical trials or experimental use.