Authorities Make Arrest in Connection with Matthew Perry’s Death

(LOS ANGELES) — Law enforcement officials have confirmed that at least one person has been arrested in connection with the death of Matthew Perry.

The official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to disclose details, revealed that authorities are set to hold a press conference in Los Angeles later Thursday morning to provide further information regarding the case.

In May, Los Angeles police announced their collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to investigate the presence of a significant amount of the surgical anesthetic in Perry’s system.

On October 28, Perry was found unconscious in his hot tub by his assistant. Paramedics were called immediately and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Perry’s autopsy, released in December, indicated that the level of ketamine in his blood was comparable to that used during general anesthesia in surgical procedures.

In recent years, ketamine, a decades-old drug, has seen a surge in its use as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and pain. Individuals close to Perry informed the coroner’s investigators that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy.

However, the medical examiner stated that Perry’s last ketamine treatment, administered 1 1/2 weeks prior to his death, couldn’t account for the high levels of the drug found in his blood. Typically, ketamine is metabolized within a few hours. According to the medical examiner’s report, Perry was under the care of two doctors – a psychiatrist and an anesthesiologist who served as his primary care physician. No illicit drugs or related paraphernalia were found at his residence.

The coroner’s report listed ketamine as the primary cause of death, ruling it an accident with no indication of foul play. The report also identified drowning and other medical conditions as contributing factors.

Perry’s battle with addiction spanned years, dating back to his time on “Friends.” During the show’s run from 1994 to 2004, he became one of the most prominent television stars of his generation, playing Chandler Bing alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer in NBC’s highly successful sitcom.

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Balsamo reported from New York.