The federal investigation into the death of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic TV show “Friends,” is nearing its conclusion, with potential charges being filed against multiple individuals.
The 54-year-old actor was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub at his Los Angeles, California home on October 28, 2023. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, Perry’s death was an accident resulting from the acute effects of ketamine, a drug often used in anesthesia and for the treatment of depression and pain. They also cited drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine, a medication used to combat opioid addiction, as contributing factors.
After the Los Angeles Police Department wrapped up its initial investigation in January, it was reopened in May following the emergence of fresh evidence pertaining to the source of the ketamine.
Among those questioned by the police is Brooke Mueller, actor Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife, who struck up a friendship with Perry during their time in rehab. As part of the investigation, police seized Mueller’s laptop and iPhone. She has been cooperating with the authorities, engaging legal representation, and holding numerous meetings with law enforcement since a search warrant was executed at her sober living house. Mueller continues to deny any involvement in Perry’s death.
The focus of the authorities is now on determining how Perry ended up with such high levels of the drug in his system. A source close to the investigation revealed that “several people” may have had a hand in providing the ketamine that led to Perry’s death.
The LAPD, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Postal Inspection Service are all involved in the case, working together to trace the origins of the ketamine found in Perry’s body. 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.”
Perry had disclosed in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to treat anxiety and depression. However, the autopsy report suggested that the ketamine levels in his blood were higher than those usually associated with therapeutic infusions, pointing to a possibly illegal source of the drug.
The investigation also scrutinizes the medical treatment Perry was receiving. At the time of his death, he was under the care of a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist, both of whom are now being examined to determine if their practices played a part in the high ketamine levels detected in Perry’s body.
The decision to press charges against those implicated in the case lies with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If they choose to proceed with prosecution, this could have significant legal implications for those involved.