Arrest Made in Connection with Matthew Perry’s Death from ‘Acute Effects of Ketamine’: Reports
Authorities have detained at least one individual linked to the death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, which was attributed to “the acute effects of ketamine” last October.
Law enforcement representatives shared this information with ABC News, NBC News, and the Los Angeles Times on Thursday. NBC along with the LA Times indicates that one individual has been arrested, whereas ABC mentions several arrests. A press conference is reportedly scheduled for 10 a.m. PT, 1 p.m. ET, as stated by ABC News.
In May, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they were conducting a joint investigation in an email to YSL News.
“Based on findings from the Medical Examiner, the Los Angeles Police Department, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service, is continuing to investigate the events surrounding Mr. Perry’s death,” the statement noted.
In December, shortly after Perry’s passing, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office published Perry’s autopsy report, acquired by YSL News. It classified his death as accidental, citing “the acute effects of ketamine” as the main cause alongside factors like drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects.
Buprenorphine is described as “an opioid-like medication used for treating opioid dependence and managing acute and chronic pain,” in accordance with Perry’s 29-page autopsy report. The report indicated that there were no signs of “fatal injuries and no foul play was suspected.”
Ketamine Levels Comparable to General Anesthesia Found in Matthew Perry’s System
Ketamine is classified as a “dissociative anesthetic that has hallucinogenic properties” and can “distort visual and auditory perceptions,” per the DEA’s website. The Medical Examiner stated that the levels of ketamine detected in Perry’s system were as high as 3,540 nanograms per milliliter. “Typical levels for general anesthesia range from 1,000 to 6,000 ng/ml,” the report specifies.
His autopsy indicated that there were no medications or drugs found near the pool area. Perry, who was thought to be sober for 19 months, also tested negative for substances such as alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
According to the report, Perry was “undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety,” with his final session supposedly occurring about a week and a half before his death. However, the report clarified that “the ketamine levels found at the time of death couldn’t have originated from this therapy since ketamine’s half-life is only 3 to 4 hours, or even less.” It also mentioned that the intake method was not clarified.
“At the dangerously high ketamine levels detected in his postmortem blood samples, significant risks include both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory failure,” the report stated.
“Drowning is a factor due to the probable submersion in the pool as he lost consciousness; coronary artery disease further worsens the effects induced by ketamine on the heart,” the report added.
On October 28, 2023, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to YSL News that their firefighters responded to Perry’s home in Pacific Palisades at 4:07 p.m. and found “an adult male unresponsive in a stand-alone jacuzzi.” The responding officers declared him dead at 4:17 p.m.
“A quick medical assessment sadly indicated that the individual had passed before the arrival of first responders,” reported Nicholas Prange, an LAFD spokesperson, to YSL News on October 30.