Despite the tragedy that set into motion a massive criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding actor Matthew Perry’s death in October 2023, federal agents with the DEA are confident about the charges they intend to bring against those involved in Perry’s demise.
A Renewed Confidence in the Outcome of the Investigation
Federal agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) say they are “confident” in their ability to bring charges against those they suspect were involved in actor Matthew Perry’s drug overdose.
That’s according to a report from The Daily Mail that specifies at least one of the charges that investigators plan to bring against those they have found to be allegedly involved in Perry’s ketamine overdose and subsequent drowning in the hot tub near his pool at his Pacific Palisades home.
On October 28, 2023, paramedics were dispatched to a home owned by actor Matthew Perry on Blue Sail Drive in the Los Angeles area neighborhood. Perry was found unresponsive, and though first responders attempted to resuscitate him, their efforts were unsuccessful. He was 54.
Related: Actor Matthew Perry’s Hollywood Home Still on the Market
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department said they found no illicit drugs at the scene, and they did not suspect foul play. An autopsy was completed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office, but initial results were inconclusive.
Autopsy Report Reveals Something Concerning
It was known that at the time of his death, Matthew Perry had been receiving ketamine injection therapy, which was prescribed by his doctor.
As such, the medical examiner expected to find the drug in the late actor’s system. However, when Perry died, it had been more than a week since his most recent infusion, though his serum ketamine levels were much higher than they should have been, given the time that had elapsed since his most recent treatment.
Related: Matthew Perry’s Bank Accounts Don’t Line Up With His Estimated Net Worth
The findings were noted in Perry’s autopsy report, which was officially filed in December 2023.
The report detailed Perry’s cause of death, stating that Perry died from the acute effects of the powerful dissociative drug ketamine. Other contributing factors in his death included drowning, buprenorphine effects–referring to a medication used to treat opioid use disorder–and coronary artery disease.
Sadly, news about Perry’s ketamine-related death came just weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an urgent warning about the drug.
A Criminal Investigation is Launched
The initial death investigation was closed in December 2023, but in May 2024, a criminal investigation was begun. It was revealed that law enforcement was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service to determine who might have supplied the ketamine that cost Perry his life.
Weeks later, investigators felt certain they had determined how Perry came into possession of the final, fatal dose of ketamine, and the U.S. Postal Service had been used in the acquisition, though details weren’t immediately clear.
As part of the criminal investigation into Perry’s death, other celebrities were found to be allegedly involved in some way with his acquisition of the final dose of ketamine as well.
Investigators “Confident” They Can Bring Charges Against Those They Say Were Involved
Last week, the Drug Enforcement Administration reportedly stated that the agency has plans to charge “multiple people” with drug distribution resulting in great bodily injury or death, a first-degree felony charge.
At this time, it’s unclear how many people could be charged with the first-degree felony, though investigators say they are confident about the charges.
If convicted, those responsible could face a minimum of 20 years in prison for the offense.
This sounds kind of like, I hold my fork when I’m stuffing my face. I cannot blame others for how much or what it is that I stuff my face with. Gods speed to anyone that may be facing this disaster! And, honestly, I’m sure this was not done at all purposefully, not that I know anyone involved, but I do know if they are human, they’re feeling pretty bad, and will for the rest of their lives. I miss the antics of Mathew Perry! God Bless him! ????
It does not make a difference if the people involved in Mathews Perry’s death as unintentional the fact remains that these people are playing with fire and presumably don’t know how much is too much to be fatal that is the fatal question here,and because of this they are responsible in the negligence of his untimely death therefore they should face charges against them brought forth in the coming days,it’s nothing more than ,like I said negligence and extremely tragic to say the least
No one forces anyone to take a drug. He willingly took it. I believe it’s bs to prosecute those who supplied it. No one wants to blame someone famouse