Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Matthew Perry, the renowned actor from the hit sitcom “Friends.” The focus of the investigation is the presence of the anesthetic ketamine in Perry’s system, which was identified as a contributing factor to his demise.
Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams confirmed on Tuesday that the police department is collaborating with the Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Postal Inspection Service to determine why the 54-year-old actor had a significant amount of ketamine in his system at the time of his death in October. The investigation was initially brought to light by TMZ.
Perry was discovered unresponsive in his Los Angeles residence’s hot tub. His autopsy report, which was made public in December, revealed that the concentration of ketamine in Perry’s bloodstream was equivalent to the levels typically used for general anesthesia during surgical procedures. The drug is occasionally used as a treatment for depression.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner stated in the autopsy report that Perry also succumbed to drowning in the heated section of his swimming pool. However, this was considered a secondary factor in his death, which was ultimately ruled an accident.
The autopsy report also disclosed that individuals close to Perry informed investigators that the actor was receiving ketamine infusion therapy. This experimental treatment is often used to address depression and anxiety. However, the medical examiner noted that Perry’s last treatment, which took place one and a half weeks prior to his death, would not account for the high levels of ketamine found in his bloodstream. The drug is typically metabolized within a few hours.
Perry was one of the most prominent television stars of his era, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in NBC’s highly successful sitcom “Friends.” He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004.