There has been a major new development in the death of Matthew Perry. The beloved Friends The actor was found drowned in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home last October, and an autopsy later found ketamine in his system. Now, multiple arrests have reportedly been made against the people who allegedly supplied Perry with the drugs.
TMZ spoke with law enforcement sources who said multiple agencies executed search warrants and seized computers, phones and other electronic equipment to track down the culprits. Among the evidence are alleged text messages in which they discussed Perry, including the ketamine he wanted, how it would be delivered to him and how much he would pay for it.
Although Perry received medically supervised ketamine infusion therapy for his anxiety and depression, he was untreated for a week and a half before his death, indicating that the ketamine in his system was not legally prescribed by a doctor.
In fact, TMZ notes that the level of ketamine in Perry's system was the same as for surgical general anesthesia.
At least one person has reportedly been arrested as a result of the months-long criminal investigation involving the Los Angeles Police Department, the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the Postal Service. NBC News law enforcement sources confirmed at least one arrest was made in Southern California early Thursday. Federal prosecutors are expected to unseal the indictment by the end of the day, which details both the individual arrested and the charges against those who allegedly helped organize and deliver ketamine to Perry.
Arrests in drug-related deaths are unusual, but not unprecedented. Several people accused of supplying rapper Mac Miller with fentanyl that led to his overdose death in September 2018 have been convicted, and the master dealer has been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in federal prison in 2022.