LOS ANGELES, CA - Authorities are investigating whether ketamine played a role in the shocking death of Matthew Perry, the popular actor best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends. The 53-year-old man was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles home on May 21 and pronounced dead at the scene.
Although the official cause of death has not yet been determined, multiple law enforcement officials confirmed to reporters that a preliminary autopsy found high levels of ketamine in Perry's bloodstream. Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic and hallucinogen that has become popular in recent years as a party drug.
Perry opened up about her decades-long battle with alcohol and opioid addiction after the huge success of Friends in the 1990s. However, he said in a recent interview that he is sober after completing rehab in 2021 and feels better than he has in years.
"Unfortunately, ketamine is becoming a growing problem, especially among people who have historically struggled with substance abuse problems," says Dr. Neil Prakash, an addiction expert at UCLA Medical Center. Psychedelic highs can be very dangerous when combined with the wrong mindset and other addictive substances.
The ketamine investigation has raised new questions about who supplied Perry with the drug and whether he obtained it legally as part of a supervised treatment program or through illegal means. Authorities have not named any suspects at this time.
Perry's Friends co-stars and other Hollywood insiders expressed shock at his untimely death, but paid tribute to the talented actor. The cast had hoped to negotiate a reunion or even a reboot of the iconic show.
More details are expected when the Los Angeles medical examiner's office completes a toxicology report and other tests in the coming weeks. Perry's aides worry that he has relapsed, despite showing great hope that he will get his addiction under control.
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