Michael Jackson Case Provides Key Evidence in Matthew Perry Death Investigation

Pop star Michael Jackson died in 2009, but information about the circumstances surrounding his death–which was ultimately ruled a homicide–is proving invaluable as investigators continue to look into the sudden, untimely death of actor Matthew Perry.

The Death of a Beloved Actor Known For His Humor & Sarcasm

Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic NBC sitcom series Friends, was found dead in his hot tub on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54.

Perry was found face down and unresponsive in the jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home, prompting an immediate investigation by local authorities. Initial reports suggested no signs of foul play, leading to widespread speculation about the cause behind his death, especially by Perry’s diehard fans.

Related: Sudden, Tragic Death of Beloved Actor Now Being Investigated By the U.S. Postal Service

The Autopsy Yields Eyebrow-Raising Results

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy to determine the cause of Perry’s death. The findings, released several weeks later in December 2023, confirmed that Perry had died from an accidental drowning in his hot tub.

Additionally, toxicology reports indicated the presence of prescription medications in Perry’s bloodstream, but they were the kinds of medications commonly used to treat the various health issues the beloved actor had, including chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. Among those drugs was a dissociative drug called ketamine, a drug about which the FDA had issued serious warnings only weeks before Perry’s death.

The presence of ketamine in Perry’s system was expected; the actor had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression for some time. But the levels of ketamine weren’t consistent with the fact that more than a week had elapsed since Perry’s most recent infusion, prompting questions about how the late actor acquired the final dose of ketamine that ultimately cost him his life.

A Criminal Investigation is Launched

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report, Perry’s ketamine levels were similar to those found in patients who are administered the drug as part of general anesthesia during a surgical procedure.

A criminal investigation was launched only days after the revelation of information from Perry’s toxicology report.

Though Perry’s death has not been ruled a homicide, investigators have been laser-focused on determining who might be responsible for helping Perry acquire the additional ketamine, and as part of their investigation, detectives and prosecutors have reportedly drawn from the circumstances surrounding the death of another popular celebrity–the King of Pop himself–Michael Jackson.

The King of Pop’s Death Sends Shockwaves Around the World

On June 25, 2009, singer Michael Jackson was found dead in his Los Angeles mansion at 100 North Carolwood Drive. He was 50 years old. At the time, the circumstances surrounding the death of the King of Pop were not known, and the cause of his death was a mystery as well.

But two months later, on August 28, 2009, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office issued a statement noting that Jackson’s cause of death was acute propofol intoxication, though other drugs were found in his system, including benzodiazepine, midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine, and ephedrine.

According to the coroner’s office, propofol and lorazepam were the primary drugs that contributed to Jackson’s death. The coroner also ruled the manner of the pop star’s death a homicide, setting into motion a criminal investigation and charges against Jackson’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who told investigators that he had been treating the late musician for weeks and attempting to wean him off propofol by administering sedatives.

According to a search warrant in the case, Michael Jackson had been given a “cocktail” of painkillers and sedatives, and among them was the powerful anesthetic propofol.

Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. His responsibility stemmed from the fact that he had provided Jackson with the fatal dose of multiple powerful drugs.

Dr. Murray was sentenced to four years in prison, though he only served two of those years.

In addition to imprisonment, the Grenadian-American cardiologist, who was licensed to practice medicine in the states of California, Nevada, and Texas, was suspended and rendered unable to practice medicine any further in the United States. Upon his release from prison, however, Dr. Murray returned to Trinidad and Tobago, where he could practice medicine once again.

Now, authorities are reportedly drawing from specifics about Michael Jackson’s death investigation to work through the investigation into Matthew Perry’s death.

Jackson’s Case May Help Solve the Matthew Perry Case

Entertainment attorney Tre Lovell recently spoke with the U.S. Sun about the Matthew Perry criminal investigation, saying that Perry’s status as a celebrity could likely motivate authorities to prosecute those responsible in the case to the fullest extent of the law.

Lovell further suggested that charges against those responsible will likely include involuntary manslaughter, especially against any physician found to have written the prescription for the drug for Perry, as was the scenario in the Michael Jackson death investigation.

“The most likely charge is involuntary manslaughter,” Lovell said as he referenced Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s physician, and the charges brought against him. Lovell said that further, more severe charges, including second-degree murder, could be considered as well, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Multiple Arrests Made in the Matthew Perry Case

On Thursday, multiple arrests were made as part of the Matthew Perry death investigation. According to national news outlets, more specifics about those named and the charges they will face will be released as court documents are unsealed later in the day.

“Where there’s a high-profile victim, it’s the government’s opportunity to show there are severe consequences for supplying people drugs,” Lovell explained.