Several individuals may soon be charged in relation to the death of esteemed actor Matthew Perry, famed for his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the popular television series “Friends.” This development comes as federal investigators approach the conclusion of their probe into the circumstances surrounding Perry’s premature death.
Perry, aged 54, was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub at his residence in Los Angeles, California, on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined his death to be accidental, due to the acute effects of ketamine, a substance commonly utilized for anesthesia but also known for its depression and pain management properties. Drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine, a drug used to manage opioid addiction, were cited as contributing factors to his death.
The initial investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department concluded in January, but it was reopened in May following the emergence of new evidence related to the source of the ketamine.
Brooke Mueller, the former wife of actor Charlie Sheen, is among those questioned by the police. Mueller and Perry had developed a close bond during their time in rehab. As part of the investigation, police seized Mueller’s laptop and iPhone. She has been actively cooperating with the authorities, hiring legal representation and engaging in several discussions with law enforcement since the search warrant was executed at her sober living facility. Mueller continues to assert her non-involvement in Perry’s death.
The authorities’ focus is now on determining how Perry obtained such high levels of the drug. A source close to the investigation has indicated that “several people” may have been involved in providing the ketamine that resulted in Perry’s death.
The agencies involved in the case include the LAPD, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Their collective efforts are directed towards tracing the origin of the ketamine found in Perry’s system. As LAPD Captain Scot Williams stated, “We are working diligently to uncover how Mr. Perry acquired the ketamine and whether it was legally prescribed or illicitly obtained.”
It is known that Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy to manage anxiety and depression, a detail he shared in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” However, the autopsy report suggested that the ketamine levels in his blood were inconsistent with those typically observed from therapeutic infusions, indicating a different and potentially illegal source of the drug.
The investigation has also brought attention to the intricacies of Perry’s medical treatment. At the time of his death, Perry was under the care of a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist. The practices of both professionals are currently under review to determine if they contributed to the elevated ketamine levels found in Perry’s system.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will soon decide whether to press charges against the individuals implicated. If the case advances to prosecution, it could have substantial legal implications for those involved.
