Matthew Perry was found unresponsive in the pool of his LA home in October/ Getty images
Los Angeles police have launched an investigation into the death of Matthew Perry, best known for his role in the popular TV show "Friends." Perry passed away in October, with medical officials attributing his death to the "acute effects of ketamine."
The investigation aims to determine how Perry obtained the anaesthetic ketamine, which was found in his system. Drowning was also listed as a contributing factor in his death, which has been ruled accidental.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed in a statement that they are collaborating with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the US Postal Inspection Service in this investigation into the 54-year-old actor's death. The current status of the investigation is unclear, as is the list of individuals who have been interviewed so far, with the probe initially reported by TMZ.
Perry was discovered unresponsive in the pool of his Los Angeles home on October 28 and was declared dead at the scene. In December, the LA County medical examiner's office reported "high levels of ketamine" in his post-mortem blood sample. Senior deputy medical examiner Raffi Djabourian mentioned that other factors contributing to Perry's death included coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
Djabourian explained, "Drowning contributed due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributed due to the exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart."
At the time of his death, Perry was undergoing medically supervised ketamine treatments for depression and anxiety. The report noted that his last prescribed ketamine treatment occurred about ten days before his death.
During his peak fame, Perry struggled with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, frequently attending rehabilitation clinics. In a 2016 interview with BBC Radio 2, he admitted that he could not remember filming three years of "Friends" due to his substance abuse issues. Despite multiple attempts at treatment, Perry wrote in his memoir that he had been mostly sober since 2001, with "about 60 or 70 mishaps."
Perry's death has brought renewed attention to the dangers of ketamine and other substances, particularly in the context of mental health treatment. Ketamine, an anaesthetic often used illicitly for its hallucinogenic effects, has been explored as a treatment for depression and anxiety under medical supervision. However, its potential for abuse and adverse effects, especially when combined with other health issues, remains a significant concern.
As the investigation progresses, authorities hope to uncover more details about the circumstances surrounding Perry's death. This includes how he accessed ketamine and whether any protocols were breached in its administration. The LAPD's collaboration with federal agencies underscores the seriousness of the case and the broader implications for drug enforcement and mental health treatment practices.
Perry's untimely death is a tragic reminder of the complex challenges faced by individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues. His story also highlights the ongoing need for careful monitoring and regulation of powerful medications used in psychiatric treatment.
