An arrest was made in Southern California in connection with the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. Perry was found face down in a pool at his Pacific Palisades home, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributing his death to the acute effects of ketamine. Los Angeles police had been working with federal authorities to investigate the source of the ketamine consumed by Perry, which has been a popular party drug for decades and also shows promise as an alternative treatment for depression.
Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety, but his last session was over a week before his death. The medical examiner determined that the high levels of ketamine in Perry’s body could not have been from the therapy due to its short half-life. The coroner ultimately ruled his death an accident, with contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine used to treat opioid use disorder. Perry had openly discussed his struggles with addiction in his 2022 memoir and had been clean for 19 months at the time of his death.
Law enforcement often investigates and sometimes brings charges against those who supplied drugs leading to high-profile deaths like Perry’s. In this case, the investigation into the source of the ketamine that led to Perry’s overdose has led to an arrest in Southern California. Ketamine, known for its psychedelic properties, has been used as an infusion or injection therapy for various mental health problems in recent years. Perry’s death highlights the dangers of drug use even for those undergoing treatment with it, as the levels found in his body were equivalent to surgical anesthesia levels.
Despite Perry’s struggles with addiction and his openness about them, he had been clean for a significant period before his death. His passing serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle with addiction for many individuals, even after periods of sobriety. The overdose death of the actor known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends” has brought attention to the issue of drug supply and the potential legal consequences for those involved in providing substances that lead to fatal overdoses. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Perry’s death to hold accountable those responsible for providing the ketamine that ultimately led to his untimely passing.
