Law enforcement officials in Southern California moved to arrest at least one individual Thursday in connection to the death of actor Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on "Friends." Perry's demise in October of last year has been attributed to the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects listed as contributing factors by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, according to a report from NBC Los Angeles.
The investigation, which had been nearing its conclusion since June, has now seen multiple arrests, and federal charges are expected to be announced, says ABC News. The arrests follow a collaborative investigation involving the Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the USPS, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Perry's untimely passing occurred on Oct. 28, 2023, when he was discovered unresponsive in his jacuzzi. The autopsy reported "high levels of ketamine in his blood," likely causing unconsciousness and subsequent drowning as outlined by ABC News.
Despite his struggles with opioid addiction and alcoholism, chronicled in his 2022 memoir, Perry had reportedly been sober for 19 months at the time of his death. The actor had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy, a treatment for depression and anxiety, which was not related to the high levels of ketamine found in his system. He had undergone his last known treatment session over a week before his death, as ketamine's half-life is quite short, confirmed by the medical examiner's findings and reported by NBC News.
The ongoing enforcement actions mirror past high-profile cases where suppliers were charged after celebrity deaths. The DEA has not commented on the specifics of the arrest, deferring statements to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The specific details surrounding the identities of those arrested and the charges being levied have yet to be fully disclosed to the public at this time, as law enforcement agencies prepare to further communicate their findings and the resulting legal actions.
