Arrest made in connection with Matthew Perry overdose death: reports

Authorities have made an arrest in the accidental overdose death of actor Matthew Perry.

Law enforcement sources told NBC News that the arrest was made on Thursday in Southern California.

TMZ reports that multiple arrests were made and among them was a doctor. However, KTLA 5 has not been able to confirm that information. The Associated Press says at least one person was arrested.

The Drug Enforcement Administration told KTLA that they “are not commenting or providing information on this matter at this time” and deferred further comments to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Officials are set to have a news conference later on Thursday with more information.

In October of 2023, Perry was found unresponsive at his Pacific Palisades home. Following an autopsy, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner revealed in December the “Friends” actor died from “acute effects of ketamine.”

In May, the Los Angeles Police Department said they were working with the DEA and the United States Postal Inspection Service to find out how and why the actor had so much of the substance in his system when he passed away.

“There were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents,” the autopsy report stated. “He was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety.”

Per the report, Perry’s last known treatment was one-and-a-half weeks before his death and the ketamine that was in his system when he died “could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is three to four hours, or less.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency , ketamine is a “dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects.” It is often viewed as a “club drug” that is popular among youth and young adults at raves and EDM concerts.

The report also found that contributing factors in Perry’s death included “drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , “Buprenorphine is the first medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) that can be prescribed or dispensed in physician offices, significantly increasing access to treatment.”

The manner of the death was listed as accidental (drug and drowning-related) and there were no signs of foul play are suspected.

“Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the heart,” the report continued. “Buprenorphine effects are listed as contributory, even though not at toxic levels, due to the additive respiratory effects when present with high levels of ketamine. Autopsy shows no fatal blunt or penetrating trauma.”

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