Multiple people have been arrested in connection with the overdose death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, according to ABC News. A joint criminal investigation into Perry’s death due to a ketamine overdose was launched by several agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department). On October 28, 2023, Perry was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his home in Los Angeles. He was 54 years old.
Who was arrested in the Matthew Perry investigation?
At least two doctors and one dealer face federal charges, including the conspiracy to distribute ketamine. A total of five arrests have been made so far, according to a federal source to ABC News.
According to the indictment, the two doctors were the original source of Perry’s supply of ketamine. But when the drugs became too expensive, the actor switched to purchasing the drug through other means, including a woman called the “Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles.”
Additional details regarding the charges will be announced through a news briefing on Thursday, August 15, by the U.S. attorney for Los Angeles and the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The United States Postal Service was also included in the investigation, suggesting that either drugs or payment were sent via mail.
While Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy as part of his treatment for depression and anxiety, the autopsy report stated that the “ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy.” This is because the half-life of ketamine is four hours or less, and Perry’s last appointment for ketamine infusions was made more than a week before his untimely passing.
The autopsy report listed additional contributing factors for his death, including coronary artery disease, drowning, and the synthetic opioid, buprenorphine. It ruled his death as an accident.
