Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry, according to reports released on Thursday, August 15. The 54-year-old star was discovered deceased in a hot tub at his Pacific Palisades residence in Los Angeles on October 28, 2023.
Initial reports indicated that he died due to the acute effects of ketamine.
NBC first reported on Thursday that an arrest was made in Southern California following an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, which is working to determine how Perry acquired the anesthetic known for its psychedelic properties.
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TMZ later expanded on this, revealing that multiple people, including at least one physician and several drug dealers, had been detained.
More details on Matthew Perry’s overdose investigation emerged as officials told TMZ that various law enforcement agencies had executed search warrants, seizing computers, phones, and other electronic devices to trace the source of the prescription medication that led to Perry’s death.
The 17 Again actor had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for anxiety and depression, with his last treatment reportedly scheduled for a week and a half before his passing. This has led to speculation that the ketamine found in Perry’s system was not legally prescribed.
The drug was present in his system at levels typically used for general anesthesia in surgeries.
According to TMZ’s sources, the search warrants uncovered numerous text messages referencing Perry and the ketamine he allegedly requested. These messages also detailed efforts to procure the drug and the prices Perry was willing to pay.
The details on the drug dealers and the doctor arrested in connection to the actor’s death have been kept under wraps. We will keep you posted with the same.
During the investigation, authorities also uncovered connections to other celebrities within the Hollywood drug scene. While a search warrant was reportedly issued for Brooke Muller, the ex-wife of Charlie Sheen, she does not appear to be linked to the recent arrests. Muller had previously been in a treatment center with Perry.
At the time of Perry’s death, which was ruled an accident, an autopsy report stated, “At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.”
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