Five people have been charged by Los Angeles Police in relation to Matthew Perry’s death.
The Friends star died in October last year and the official autopsy, released in December 2023, ruled his cause of death as an overdose of ketamine.
Among the arrested are Matthew’s former assistant, two doctors and an alleged drug dealer nicknamed the “Ketamine Queen”.
These five are accused of providing Matthew with the drug and, according to US Drug Enforcement Administration head Anne Milgram, ultimately played a “key role” in his death; Matthew’s blood showed that the amount of ketamine in his system was at a similar level to the range used for general anaesthetic in surgery.
Matthew suffered with addiction for most of his life, as detailed in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
In November 2023, Keith Morrison, Matthew’s stepfather and Dateline veteran, and Jennifer Aniston, Matthew’s Friends co-star, encouraged fans of the late actor to donate to his eponymous foundation that aims to help others struggling with addiction.
“This is not the sort of thing I commonly do, this pitch. But this year is different. And tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. Do what you can; he would have been grateful,” Keith wrote on X (formely known as Twitter).
Giving Tuesday is an American tradition that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving which encourages people to donate to charities, volunteer or do something generous for others.
“For #GivingTuesday please join me and Matty’s family in supporting his foundation – which is working to help those suffering with addiction…He would have been grateful for the love,” Jennifer wrote on social media.
News first broke in late October 2023 that Matthew had been found dead at his Los Angeles home. At the time, it was reported that the 54 year old – who was best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing – allegedly drowned after suffering cardiac arrest.
The actor’s family then confirmed the news that he had he passed away on October 28 with an official statement to People that read, “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend…You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”
Tributes for Matthew quickly began pouring in, you can read them all here.
