US federal authorities investigate death of Matthew Perry

LOS ANGELES: A federal investigation by the United States (US) government is currently underway to determine the source of ketamine supplied to actor Matthew Perry before his death last year.

Matthew Perry passed away on October 28 last year at his Los Angeles home. The investigation is being jointly conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is still ongoing with no immediate actions expected as of now.

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Perry was renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom “Friends”. He was aged 54 at the time of his death.

The Friends actor was found unresponsive in his swimming pool, confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later. The official cause of death was attributed to the acute effects of ketamine, with additional contributing factors including drowning, coronary artery disease, and the presence of buprenorphine, a synthetic opioid used in treating opioid addiction.

Despite Perry’s documented history of substance use, he had reportedly been clean for 19 months leading up to his passing. The actor was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to manage depression and anxiety, with his last treatment administered a week and a half prior to his death.

The medical examiner noted that the levels of ketamine found in Perry’s body were unexpectedly high, comparable to those administered during general anesthesia for surgery. It is unclear why such elevated levels persisted in his system, given that ketamine typically metabolises within hours.

The actor’s death has prompted dual investigations by both federal and local authorities. The Los Angeles police are currently examining the circumstances surrounding his death in conjunction with the ongoing federal investigation into the origin of the ketamine supply.

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Meanwhile, Perry’s former co-star Lisa Kudrow, renowned for her role as Phoebe Buffay on “Friends,” has chosen to honour his memory in a personal way. She has revisited the beloved sitcom, finding solace in Perry’s comedic talent and cherishing the laughter he brought to the set.

Kudrow, who had previously avoided watching herself on screen, decided to embrace the show as a tribute to Perry’s enduring legacy.

Web Desk