Local police and the DEA have reportedly joined forces to uncover the source that supplied Matthew Perry with ketamine, which ultimately played a part in his death.
The famous “Friends” actor was found unresponsive in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home, October 28, 2023, and was pronounced dead on-scene by first responders, according to TMZ. His toxicology report confirmed Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, and officials are now seeking to uncover who provided the drug, and under what circumstances. Sources close to the situation said the investigation has been ongoing for several months, and noted that some key Hollywood figures have already been interviewed as part of this case, according to TMZ.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – OCTOBER 14: Actor Matthew Perry arrives at the 9th Annual Dinner Benefiting the Lili Claire Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 14, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
UNDATED PHOTO: Actors Courteney Cox Arquette (L), Jennifer Aniston (C) and Matthew Perry are shown in a scene from the NBC series “Friends”. The series received 11 Emmy nominations, including outstanding comedy series, by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences July 18, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Warner Bros. Television/Getty Images)
The insider with direct knowledge of this probe was not able to identify the people that have been spoken to as part of this investigation, but was able to confirm that those approached are known to have a history of drug use or abuse. These individuals may not be the direct ketamine sources, but are believed to have some knowledge and information that could lead law officials to the person they are seeking, according to TMZ.
There have been no arrests made in this case at this time, and no suspect information has been noted.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Matthew Perry attends the GQ Men of the Year Party 2022 at The West Hollywood EDITION on November 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ)
Matthew Perry during The Museum Of Television & Radio To Honor CBS News’s Dan Rather And Friends Producing Team at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, United States. (Photo by Chris Polk/FilmMagic)
385848 01: Cast members of NBC’s comedy series “Friends.” Pictured: David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani. (Photo by Warner Bros. Television)
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office had previously identified that perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety for more than one week prior to his passing. Further testing determined that the ketamine in his system at his time of death was not a result of the treatment, according to TMZ.
Perry’s death is one of many that has been investigated by authorities under such circumstances. Shortly after Mac Miller died of an overdose in 2018, an investigation of the same nature was launched. Three men were identified as being involved in the matter. The probe led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of Stephen Walter. Walter was found guilty of supplying Miller with fentanyl-laced pills, and he was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison, according to TMZ. (RELATED: Courteney Cox Says The Late Matthew Perry ‘Visits’ Her)
Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc from NBC show “Friends” (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
A man by the name of Ryan Reavis was handed an 11-year sentence as the middleman who delivered the drugs from Walter to Cameron Pettit, who in turn ran the drugs to Miller. Pettit’s case is still in the courts at this time, according to TMZ.
