
Police make arrest relating to death of ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry
The Los Angeles Police Department have made an arrest in connection to the death of Friends star Matthew Perry, who passed away in 2023.
In the immediate aftermath of his death, initial reports concluded the actor had been found “unresponsive” in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home. In the year leading up to his death, Perry had received ketamine infusion therapy as a legal treatment method for depression and anxiety, and the drug was later revealed to be the reason for his passing but not due to the infusion therapy.
In a turn of events, in December, the postmortem examiner claimed “the ketamine in his system at death could not be that from infusion therapy.” They could not confirm the method of consumption, but Perry was supposedly clean at the time and had been for 19 months.
Over recent months, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death has been a priority case for the Los Angeles Police Department.
Last month, a report released by the department said, “Drug Enforcement Administration agents launched their Perry death investigation after the LA County Medical Examiner determined the Friends star died from drowning in his hot tub after taking ketamine,” describing the drug as, “a dissociative anaesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects.”
The postmortem team also established that drowning was most likely the ultimate cause of death despite the concentrations of ketamine in Perry’s blood were high. Senior deputy medical examiner Raffi Djabourian, said, “At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.”
Djabourian continued, “Drowning contributes to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the hearts.”
Now, NBC News states that an arrest has been made in connection with the death. While the identity of the arrested individual remains undisclosed, TMZ have claimed that “at least one doctor has been arrested, along with several dealers who helped arrange and deliver ketamine to Perry.”
During the investigation, it was reported the LAPD was working with the DEA and the Postal Inspection Service to look into a postal drug-dealing ring. Furthermore, on July 7th, it was reported they are “preparing for a press conference to announce possible charges, which could even include involuntary manslaughter.”
Although an arrest has reportedly been made, at this stage nobody has been charged in connection with Perry’s death.