Arrest made in Matthew Perry’s accidental ketamine overdose case, details to follow in LA briefing.
Authorities have made at least one arrest related to the death of actor Matthew Perry, who passed away last year from an accidental ketamine overdose, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The official did not provide further details about the arrest, as the investigation is still ongoing. A news conference is scheduled in Los Angeles later today to provide more information.
In May, Los Angeles police confirmed they were working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate how Perry, 54, came to have such a significant amount of the surgical anesthetic in his system.
Perry was found unresponsive in his hot tub on October 28, 2023. Paramedics who arrived at the scene quickly declared him dead.
An autopsy report released in December indicated that the ketamine level in Perry’s blood was within the range used for general anesthesia. While ketamine is commonly used today to treat depression, anxiety, and pain, the report noted that Perry’s last treatment, conducted one and a half weeks before his death, could not account for the levels of the drug found in his system.
No illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia were discovered at Perry’s residence. The medical examiner ruled the death an accident, citing ketamine as the primary cause, with drowning and other medical factors contributing.
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit NBC sitcom “Friends,” had a well-documented history of battling addiction during and after the show’s 10-season run from 1994 to 2004.
