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Matthew Perry death investigation takes new turn

An investigation into the death of Matthew Perry is rounding out, with reports suggesting “multiple people” should be charged.

Matthew Perry’s stepfather opens up about Friends star’s death

The ongoing investigation into Matthew Perry’s death has found “multiple people” should be charged, according to a new report.

A law enforcement source working on the probe told People the case was nearing its conclusion, with police believing charges could be laid in relation to the US actor’s accidental death aged 54.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office will make the final decision on whether there is sufficient evidence to press charges, the outlet further claimed.

Police reportedly believe “multiple people” should be charged in relation to Matthew Perry’s death. Picture: Gabriel Bouys/AFP
Police reportedly believe “multiple people” should be charged in relation to Matthew Perry’s death. Picture: Gabriel Bouys/AFP

Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home October 28, with an autopsy determining anaesthetic ketamine was a contributing factor in the Friends actor’s death.

The report, released in December by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, further ruled drowning was a secondary factor.

It’s understood Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to treat anxiety and depression.

However, the autopsy noted the high levels of ketamine in Perry’s system were in the same range for surgical general anaesthesia, prompting a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) investigation to ascertain how the actor received the drug.

The LAPD has been working on its investigation since December in conjunction with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Postal Inspector.

Perry was beloved for his role on Friends, alongside co-stars David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. Picture: Lee Celano/AFP
Perry was beloved for his role on Friends, alongside co-stars David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. Picture: Lee Celano/AFP

Perry had published his autobiography Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, in 2022, which detailed his addiction struggles over the years.

He also wrote candidly about using ketamine to treat pain and depression.

“Ketamine was a very popular street drug in the 1980s. There is a synthetic form of it now, and it’s used for two reasons: to ease pain and help with depression,” Perry wrote.

“Has my name written all over it — they might as well have called it ‘Matty’.”

Fans laid floral tributes outside the ‘Friends’ building in New York shortly after Perry’s death. Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images
Fans laid floral tributes outside the ‘Friends’ building in New York shortly after Perry’s death. Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images

He explained how he’d “disassociate” during infusions, and often felt like he was “dying.”

“‘Oh,’ I thought, ‘This is what happens when you die,’” he continued.

“Yet I would continually sign up for this s**t because it was something different, and anything different is good.”

Perry seemingly suggested he was no longer taking ketamine at the time of writing.

“Taking K is like being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel. But the hangover was rough and outweighed the shovel,” he wrote.

“Ketamine was not for me.”

Originally published as Matthew Perry death investigation takes new turn

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/matthew-perry-death-investigation-takes-new-turn/news-story/89925dd7e7f7eab73069e8251b89f53d