Matthew Perry's death is under investigation by LAPD, DEA over ketamine found in his blood
The "Friends" star died suddenly in October 2023, from acute effects of ketamine. He was 54.
The tragic death of Matthew Perry is still under investigation.
Over six months after he was found dead at 54, the Los Angeles Police Department is still looking into the death of the Friends star, who died in October 2023 from the acute effects of anesthetic ketamine.
Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams confirmed in an email to Entertainment Weekly that the investigation into Perry’s death was never closed.
"On October 29, 2023, an autopsy of Mr. Perry was performed by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. On December 15, 2023, the results of the autopsy indicated that Mr. Perry died from the 'acute effects of ketamine,'" said a statement from the LAPD. "Based on the Medical Examiner’s findings, the Los Angeles Police Department, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service, has continued its investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Perry’s death."
Related: Friends stars remember Matthew Perry in emotional tribute posts: 'He made all of us laugh'
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Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28 and pronounced dead at the scene. At the time, authorities said there was no indication of foul play.
According to the autopsy report obtained by EW, aside from the effects of ketamine, drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects were also contributing factors in Perry's death. (Buprenorphine is a prescription medication that is used to treat opioid use disorder.)
The report also disclosed that Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, which is said to help with depression, anxiety, PTSD, drug and alcohol problems, chronic pain and more. However, the autopsy stated that the ketamine in his system wouldn't have been from his last treatment session, which was about a week and a half before his death. The autopsy found that Perry's death was caused by an "unknown route of drug intake," and that "the main lethal effects" were from "cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression."
Related: Why Matthew Perry got the last laugh in Friends finale 20 years ago
A five-time Emmy nominee, Perry was best known for his role as the sarcastic but sweet Chandler Bing on NBC's Friends, a series that became a cultural phenomenon following its 1994 premiere and went on to span 10 seasons. For a decade, Perry shared the screen with his sitcom costars Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer. In 2022, Perry published a memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which discussed the overlap between his career and his struggles with addiction.
Perry was a beloved figure in Hollywood and upon his untimely death came an outpouring of love from fans, as well as his high-profile friends, colleagues, and costars.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.