Los Angeles — Authorities suspect that the involved parties in the death of actor Matthew Perry last October may face criminal charges, as the federal investigation nears its conclusion. Known for his role in the global hit TV series “Friends,” Perry’s sudden death was attributed to the “acute effects of ketamine,” with accidental drowning, coronary artery disease, and the opioid buprenorphine listed as contributing factors by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The investigation into Perry’s death originally closed in January, but further federal inquiries regarding his use of ketamine began months thereafter. Perry, 54, had a public struggle with substance abuse, a topic he often discussed openly to help others battling similar issues, even transforming his Malibu property into a sober living facility.
Sources close to the investigation have indicated that multiple individuals are potentially culpable; decisions on charges are pending. The extent of these charges or the identities of those involved remains under wraps as the legal proceedings continue to develop.
Perry had retired to his Los Angeles home on the evening of his death, found unresponsive in his mansion’s hot tub after sending an assistant out on errands. In his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” he discussed the recourse to ketamine for pain and depression treatment, revealing a harrowing experience with the drug which he felt brought him close to death.
Medical experts, like Dr. Bankole Johnson, have expressed concern about prescribing ketamine to someone also using buprenorphine, calling it a “true recipe for disaster.” This aspect of Perry’s medical management may form a part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Despite his tumultuous health struggles, Perry had hopes of being remembered more for his advocacy for sobriety and mental health rather than just his acting career. A decade before his death, he established the Perry House as a beacon for recovery, advocating for life beyond addiction. Moreover, he had spent approximately $9 million on his own journey to sobroundess, as he once shared.
Matthew Perry had bravely disclosed his battles with addiction throughout his adult life. In his own words aimed at paving the way for others, he expressed a relentless determination to aid in the healing of others similarly afflicted. Perry’s wide-reaching impact on popular culture and the community of those striving for sobriety promises to endure as a testament to his life’s more personal victories.
As the investigation comes to a close, and the legal process unfolds, many will watch closely to see the ramifications for all involved in the untimely demise of a man who was much more than just a familiar face on television.