Authorities to Probe How Perry Obtained Ketamine Found in His System.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has launched an investigation into the death of actor Matthew Perry, known for his role in the TV sitcom “Friends.” Perry, 54, died in October from “acute effects of ketamine,” according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation aims to determine how Perry obtained the anesthetic found in his system.
Perry’s death was ruled an accident, citing drowning as a contributing factor by the Los Angeles M.E.
In a statement Tuesday, the LAPD confirmed it is working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on the case. The investigation was first reported by TMZ, but details on its progress and who has been interviewed remain unclear.
Perry was found unresponsive in the pool of his Pacific Palisades home on October 28 and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In December, the LA County medical examiner’s office reported “high levels of ketamine” in Perry’s post-mortem blood specimen. Contributing factors to the death were coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.
“Drowning contributes due 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 heart,” Senior Deputy Medical Examiner, Raffi Djabourian noted
The actor was being treated with medically supervised ketamine treatments for depression and anxiety at the time of his death. His last prescribed treatment occurred a week and a half before he died. Perry had sought treatment in rehab centers multiple times during his life due to his addictions to alcohol and prescription painkillers.
