Looking Back: Matthew Perry’s Death Is Still Under Investigation One Year Later

It has been a year since Matthew Perry died from what was ruled to be a ketamine overdose; however, investigations are still ongoing to dig further into the unfortunate incident. The news shook fans and loved ones of Perry’s, as they assumed the sitcom star had been sober for years.

Perry was found unconscious in the bathtub of his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles, with the autopsy revealing traces of the hallucinogen in his system. Arrests have been made so far as findings uncovered an underground operation of medical personnel providing illegal drugs to celebrities.

Looking back on Matthew Perry’s death one year later

While exploring Perry’s death, federal and local law enforcement officials discovered five suspects—Jasveen Sangha, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Eric Fleming, Dr. Mark Chavez, and Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. They were accused of conspiring, selling, and distributing ketamine to the deceased for thousands of dollars.

Arrests were made following swift court proceedings, but the investigation is still open as the Los Angeles police, the DEA, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are working to find out why Perry had that much ketamine in his system a few hours before his demise. Further findings revealed that coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects also contributed to the fatal outcome.

Was Matthew Perry open about his addiction?

Perry’s openness about his addiction struggles, in addition to helping rendered to addicts like himself, gave his loved ones a sense of assurance about his journey to sobriety. He claimed in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing that he was drug-free after 15 rehab cycles and multiple surgeries costing millions of dollars.

Unknown to others aside from his assistant and accomplices, Perry was allegedly back to his vice about 20 months before his passing. To honor the late star, Perry’s family established The Matthew Perry Foundation to raise awareness about addiction and help those struggling.