Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the overdose death of beloved actor Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends. Perry, 54, was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles home in October 2023, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later attributing his death to the acute effects of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic.
The arrests were made as part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Perry’s death. Law enforcement sources indicate that at least one person was taken into custody in Southern California on Thursday, with federal prosecutors expected to release an indictment outlining charges against those involved.
Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety, but his last session occurred more than a week before his death. The medical examiner’s report noted that the high levels of ketamine found in Perry’s system could not have been from the supervised therapy sessions, given the drug’s short half-life. The amount of ketamine present was consistent with levels used during general anesthesia.
Drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine—a medication used to treat opioid addiction—were also cited as contributing factors in Perry’s death, which was ultimately ruled an accident.
Perry’s family, including his stepfather, Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison, expressed their relief at the arrests, stating, “We are devastated by Matthew’s loss, but knowing that law enforcement is pursuing justice provides some comfort during this difficult time.”
Throughout his life, Perry was candid about his struggles with addiction, which he detailed in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Despite these challenges, he had been sober for 19 months at the time of his death, according to the medical examiner’s report.
This investigation mirrors similar high-profile cases, such as the conviction of Michael Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, and the charges brought against those involved in the overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams. The arrests in Perry’s case underscore the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those who contribute to drug-related tragedies.
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