LOS ANGELES — Authorities have arrested at least one person in connection with Matthew Perry’s death from an accidental ketamine overdose last year, a law enforcement official tells The Associated Press. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was not authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation. Authorities have scheduled a news conference in Los Angeles to announce details in the case later Thursday morning.
Los Angeles police, in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, launched a probe into why the 54-year-old actor had such a high level of the surgical anesthetic ketamine in his system. An assistant found Perry face down in his hot tub on October 28, and paramedics who arrived at the scene declared him dead.
The autopsy report, released in December, revealed that the amount of ketamine in Perry’s blood was within the range used for general anesthesia during surgery. Ketamine, a decades-old drug, has seen a significant increase in use in recent years as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and pain. People close to Perry informed coroner’s investigators that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy.
However, the medical examiner noted that Perry’s last treatment was 1 1/2 weeks prior to his death, which would not explain the high levels of ketamine in his blood. The drug is typically metabolized within hours. Perry was being treated by two doctors, a psychiatrist, and an anesthesiologist who served as his primary care physician. No illicit drugs or paraphernalia were found at his residence.
Ketamine was listed as the primary cause of Perry’s death, which was ruled an accident with no foul play suspected. Drowning and other medical issues were cited as contributing factors by the coroner. Perry had a history of addiction struggles dating back to his time on the popular TV show „Friends,“ where he portrayed the character Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004.
In conclusion, the tragic death of Matthew Perry sheds light on the dangers of substance abuse and the importance of proper medical supervision when undergoing treatments involving potent drugs like ketamine. The investigation into his death serves as a reminder of the risks associated with drug use and the need for comprehensive healthcare oversight in managing addiction and mental health issues.