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Matthew Perry’s Death Being Investigated By Federal Authorities
Matthew Perry poses at a photocall for "The End Of Longing", a new play which he wrote and stars in at The Playhouse Theatre, on February 8, 2016 in London, England.
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David M. Benett
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Getty Images Europe
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Topline:
Local and federal authorities are investigating how "Friends" star Matthew Perry obtained the ketamine that contributed to his death, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Tuesday.
Why it matters: The LAPD, the DEA, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which is the law enforcement arm of the USPS, are involved with the investigation. The inspection service works to prevent the flow of illicit drugs in the mail stream.
Death Investigation Update: On 10-28-23 LAPD responded to the residence of actor Matthew Perry to conduct a death investigation. On 10-29-23, an autopsy of Mr. Perry was performed by the L.A. County Department of Medical Examiner.
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) May 21, 2024
The backstory: The L.A. County medical examiner determined that Perry died last October from the “acute effects of ketamine.” The autopsy report states that he was on ketamine infusion therapy less than two weeks before his death, but the “high levels” in his system could not have been from those treatments.
Additional details: Other factors in Perry’s death included drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder. The medical examiner also ruled the actor’s death accidental.
Go deeper: Read more about Perry's death.
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