Arrests Made in Drug Probe Linked to Matthew Perry’s Ketamine Death

Several individuals are now facing federal charges related to the tragic death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry. Law enforcement sources indicate that these arrests were executed during an operation early Thursday morning, and among those arrested is a doctor.

Details regarding the charges will be disclosed at a news briefing later today, which will include statements from the U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles and the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Matthew Perry passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles residence. An autopsy report revealed that his death was due to acute effects of ketamine.

The report indicated that Perry had elevated levels of ketamine in his bloodstream, which likely caused him to lose consciousness before he submerged in water. Prior to his death, it was reported that he had been undergoing ketamine infusions to address depression and anxiety, with his last treatment occurring one and a half weeks prior to his passing.

However, the medical examiner noted that the levels of ketamine found at the time of his death could not have resulted from that therapy, as the drug’s half-life is typically three to four hours or less. The precise method by which he had ingested the drug remained unclear.

In addition to the effects of ketamine, the autopsy report identified drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects as contributing factors that were not directly responsible for his death, which has been classified as an accident.

While prescription medications and loose pills were discovered at his home, there was nothing found near the location where he was found deceased, according to the findings of the autopsy report.

In the months following his death, multiple law enforcement agencies have been conducting investigations, including the DEA, the Los Angeles Police Department, the United States Postal Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Perry is widely recognized for his role as Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom “Friends,” which aired from 1994 to 2004. His sudden death and the circumstances surrounding it have generated significant public interest, prompting ongoing investigations.

This situation is continuously evolving, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.