Those Involved in Actor Matthew Perry’s Death to Receive 20+ Years in Prison If Convicted

Despite the tragedy that set into motion a massive criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding actor Matthew Perry’s death in October 2023, federal agents with the DEA are confident about the charges they intend to bring against those involved in Perry’s demise.

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A Renewed Confidence in the Outcome of the Investigation

Federal agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) say they are “confident” in their ability to bring charges against those they suspect were involved in actor Matthew Perry’s drug overdose.

That’s according to a report from The Daily Mail that specifies at least one of the charges that investigators plan to bring against those they have found to be allegedly involved in Perry’s ketamine overdose and subsequent drowning in the hot tub near his pool at his Pacific Palisades home.

Matthew Perry’s Pacific Palisades home/Credit: House Beautiful

On October 28, 2023, paramedics were dispatched to a home owned by actor Matthew Perry on Blue Sail Drive in the Los Angeles area neighborhood. Perry was found unresponsive, and though first responders attempted to resuscitate him, their efforts were unsuccessful. He was 54.

Related: Actor Matthew Perry’s Hollywood Home Still on the Market

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department said they found no illicit drugs at the scene, and they did not suspect foul play. An autopsy was completed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office, but initial results were inconclusive.

Credit: Screenshot/”Mr. Sunshine”/ABC

Autopsy Report Reveals Something Concerning

It was known that at the time of his death, Matthew Perry had been receiving ketamine injection therapy, which was prescribed by his doctor.

As such, the medical examiner expected to find the drug in the late actor’s system. However, when Perry died, it had been more than a week since his most recent infusion, though his serum ketamine levels were much higher than they should have been, given the time that had elapsed since his most recent treatment.

Related: Matthew Perry’s Bank Accounts Don’t Line Up With His Estimated Net Worth

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The findings were noted in Perry’s autopsy report, which was officially filed in December 2023.

The report detailed Perry’s cause of death, stating that Perry died from the acute effects of the powerful dissociative drug ketamine. Other contributing factors in his death included drowning, buprenorphine effects–referring to a medication used to treat opioid use disorder–and coronary artery disease.

Sadly, news about Perry’s ketamine-related death came just weeks after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an urgent warning about the drug.

Credit: Screenshot, ‘The Odd Couple’, CBS

A Criminal Investigation is Launched

The initial death investigation was closed in December 2023, but in May 2024, a criminal investigation was begun. It was revealed that law enforcement was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service to determine who might have supplied the ketamine that cost Perry his life.

Weeks later, investigators felt certain they had determined how Perry came into possession of the final, fatal dose of ketamine, and the U.S. Postal Service had been used in the acquisition, though details weren’t immediately clear.

Credit: Iris Orellanas via Flickr

As part of the criminal investigation into Perry’s death, other celebrities were found to be allegedly involved in some way with his acquisition of the final dose of ketamine as well.

Investigators “Confident” They Can Bring Charges Against Those They Say Were Involved

Last week, the Drug Enforcement Administration reportedly stated that the agency has plans to charge “multiple people” with drug distribution resulting in great bodily injury or death, a first-degree felony charge.

Credit: Disney Dining

At this time, it’s unclear how many people could be charged with the first-degree felony, though investigators say they are confident about the charges.

If convicted, those responsible could face a minimum of 20 years in prison for the offense.