Several individuals could be facing criminal charges related to the death of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the popular television series “Friends.” Federal investigators are nearing the conclusion of their probe into Perry’s death.
On October 28, 2023, Perry, aged 54, was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub at his Los Angeles, California residence. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office classified his death as accidental, attributing it to the acute effects of the anesthetic drug ketamine. Other contributing factors were drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid dependence.
The initial investigation carried out by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) ended in January but was restarted in May following the emergence of new evidence concerning the ketamine source.
Brooke Mueller, actor Charlie Sheen’s former spouse, was among those questioned by the police. Mueller and Perry had become friends while in rehab. Following the execution of a search warrant at her sober living residence, Mueller’s laptop and iPhone were seized by the police. She has been fully cooperating with the investigation, meeting with law enforcement multiple times and securing legal representation. Mueller maintains she had no involvement in Perry’s death.
The focus of the authorities is now on how Perry came into possession of such large quantities of the drug. A source close to the investigation indicates that “several people” could have been involved in providing Perry with the ketamine that resulted in his death.
The investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including the LAPD, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Postal Inspection Service, who are jointly working to trace 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.”
Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy as a treatment for anxiety and depression, as he revealed in his 2022 memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” However, the post-mortem examination showed that the ketamine levels in his blood were higher than typically seen in therapeutic infusions, indicating a potential illegal source of the drug.
Perry’s medical treatment, which is also part of the investigation, involved at least two doctors – a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist. The practices of these professionals are being examined to determine if they contributed to the elevated levels of ketamine detected in Perry’s body.
The decision to press charges against those implicated rests with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If it moves to prosecution, the case could have serious legal consequences for the individuals involved.
