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Who is the focus of the DEA criminal investigation into Matthew Perry’s death?

The “Friends” star died last year of “the acute effects of ketamine,” with unusually high levels of the substance found in his system.

Estados UnidosUpdate:
Muerte de Matthew Perry desencadena una investigación criminal
Mario AnzuoniREUTERS

Seven months after “Friends” star Matthew Perry tragically lost his life, the investigation into his death continues. According to the latest reports on the case, the actor’s passing is now the subject of a criminal investigation due to the high levels of ketamine found in his system. Perry died at the age of 54 on 28 October last year after being found “floating face down” in his jacuzzi at his home in in Los Angeles, California.

Why has Perry’s death become a criminal case?

According to a toxicology report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the actor died from “the acute effects of ketamine”. Part of the report stated: “At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression”.

It was revealed after his death that Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to deal with depression and anxiety issues. However, the coroner argued the levels found in his system were not consistent with such treatment, which has triggered a criminal investigation.

The objective of the investigation is therefore to discover who supplied such a high dose of ketamine without a prescription.

The US Postal Service’s role in Matthew Perry investigation

As confirmed by Variety and TMZ, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has enlisted the assistance of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) as they carry out their investigation.

At present, the two agencies are working together to determine whether Perry received the substance by mail. The DEA, meanwhile, has already interviewed “key people in Hollywood” in connection to the investigation.

Ketamine has traditionally been used a dissociative anaesthetic in surgical procedures, but has also become a common way - in moderate doses - to treat mental health issues.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has previously warned of “the potentially serious physical and psychological dangers of ketamine” when administered in larger doses.

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