Los Angeles, CA – Multiple individuals have been charged in connection with the tragic death of actor Matthew Perry, law enforcement sources confirmed on Thursday. The 54-year-old “Friends” star was found unresponsive in his Pacific Palisades home pool last October.
An autopsy determined that Perry died from an accidental overdose of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties. The level of ketamine in his system was equivalent to a surgical anesthetic dose.
At least one arrest was made in Southern California on Thursday morning, with federal prosecutors expected to unveil additional charges against others later in the day. The Perry family expressed relief at the news, stating they hoped for justice to prevail.
The case echoes similar high-profile investigations into drug-related celebrity deaths. Dr. Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for providing Michael Jackson with a fatal dose of propofol, while four individuals were charged in the fentanyl overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams.
Perry had been candid about his struggles with addiction in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” Despite achieving 19 months of sobriety, the medical examiner cited contributing factors including drowning, heart disease, and the presence of buprenorphine, used to treat opioid addiction.
While ketamine has gained popularity as a party drug, it also holds promise as a depression treatment. Perry had undergone ketamine infusion therapy, but the medical examiner concluded the fatal dose was not from this source.
Law enforcement is continuing their investigation into the origin of the ketamine involved in Perry’s untimely demise.
