The death of Matthew Perry sent shock waves throughout the industry last year. The former Friends star, beloved for his signature witty sense of humor and genuine likability, was found dead in his hot tub in 2023. Some speculated that there could’ve been more to the story and, sadly, that was determined when an autopsy report later revealed that he passed away from the “acute effects of ketamine,” a drug that can be used to treat depression but is also commonly used as a party drug. Once that news was revealed, all eyes turned to just how Perry obtained the drugs, and now an arrest has been made in connection to his death.
Per NBC News, at least one person has been arrested in connection to Perry’s death, which was determined to be from an accidental ketamine overdose. In addition to this, other sources such as TMZ, the Associated Press, and ABC News are reporting that multiple people have been charged in connection to the investigation, citing a law enforcement official. A news conference is expected to take place later this morning in Los Angeles to provide more details.
Matthew Perry’s Death Launched an Investigation by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency
An investigation into Perry’s death was launched back in May by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, which wanted to track how the actor obtained the illegal drug. Ketamine has been prescribed by some doctors to treat depression, and it was determined that Perry was participating in ketamine-assisted therapy. However, the amount of the drug found in his system and the timing of his death indicated that the actor did not die in relation to therapeutic use. Despite being seen as useful for treating depression, ketamine is also used as a recreational party drug, and, per Perry’s autopsy report, it was discovered that the amount of the drug found in his blood was about the same as what would be administered for general anesthesia. In addition to the actor passing away from the effects of ketamine, other factors that contributed to his death were coronary artery disease, drowning, and the effects of buprenorphine, a drug commonly used to treat opioid use.
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Perry’s drug and alcohol addiction has been well-documented and went back decades, even before he hit it big on Friends. The actor became dependent on pain pills following an accident while on a break from shooting the 1997 romantic comedy Fools Rush In with Salma Hayek. Perry’s addiction to pain medication became so severe by the time Friends was a behemoth of “Must See TV” on NBC that he was taking up to 55 Vicodin pills a day, according to Perry’s 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
Despite Perry’s struggles, the actor did get to the point of sobriety that he became a spokesperson of sorts. He also wished to be remembered not as the actor from Friends, but as an example for people going through similar struggles and coming out the other side of it. Matthew Perry likely helped so many people battling with this vicious disease and that should continue to be his lasting impact on the world.
