The entire world mourned when Matthew Perry passed away last year. He was prominently known for his portrayal of the beloved character Chandler Bing in the renowned NBC television sitcom Friends. Following his passing, the Los Angeles police department and the DEA have now opened an investigation to discover the source of the anesthetic ketamine that was found in his system. Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles on October 28, 2023, with medical officials concluding at the time that Perry’s death was caused by the “acute effects of ketamine.” He was pronounced dead at the age of 54—a great actor who left the world too soon.
Now, according to TMZ, which was the first to report this subsequent investigation, local police, and the DEA have already “interviewed some key people in Hollywood,” and while “those people are not necessarily the actual source of ketamine,” they “could have information leading to the source.”
It has also since been reported that law enforcement is now receiving assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which is now involved in the probe and looking into whether Matthew acquired any drugs through the mail. Following these reports, in a statement to The Independent, the Drug Enforcement Administration said, “DEA does not confirm or comment on ongoing investigations.”
Matthew Perry, the heart of ‘Friends’
Watching Friends was never the same after we knew that Matthew Perry was no longer with us. Throughout his acting career, he has given several acclaimed performances, including his performances in The West Wing (2003) and The Ron Clark Story (2006), which earned him Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He also became known for his leading film roles in Fools Rush In (1997), Almost Heroes (1998), Three to Tango (1999), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Serving Sara (2002), The Whole Ten Yards (2004), and 17 Again (2009). But with his role as Chandler Bing in Friends, Perry became a household name and a name synonymous with the character.
The news of his death left everyone shocked and devastated. His Friends co-stars Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow released a joint statement at the time, saying,
“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. In time, we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
Though Perry isn’t with us anymore, his work will be remembered for generations. He certainly has made himself immortal.
