Investigation into Matthew Perry's Death Is Officially Closed: Authorities

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Perry.Photo:David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

The investigation intoMatthew Perry’s untimely death has officially concluded.

The Los Angeles Police Department exclusively confirms to PEOPLE that authorities have determined they would no longer be looking into theFriendsalum’s death.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner also confirms on their website that the case regarding Perry’s death is considered “closed.”

Perrydiedon Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at his Los Angeles home. He was 54. A spokesperson from the Los Angeles Fire Department told PEOPLE at the time they responded to a call at 4:07 p.m. that cited a “medical emergency.”

Matthew Perry attends the 2022 GQ Men Of The Year Party.Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

The autopsy stated that Perry — who was “reportedly clean for 19 months” — was on ketamine infusion therapy, with his latest treatment taking place just “one and a half weeks before” his death. However, the coroner noted that “the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less.”

Prior to his death, Perry was vocal about his struggle with addiction. In his 2022 memoir,Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he recounted his journey to sobriety — and his sense of pride for staying clean.

“I wanted to share when I was safe from going into the dark side again,” he told PEOPLE at the time for a 2022 cover story. “I had to wait until I was pretty safely sober—and away from the active disease of alcoholism and addiction—to write it all down. I was pretty certain that it would help people if I did.”

Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the 90s sitcom,Friends. Throughout his career, he spoke highly of the role that brought him — and fellow cast members,Jennifer Aniston.Courteney Cox,Lisa Kudrow,Matt LeBlancandDavid Schwimmer— breakout fame.

The cast of ‘Friends’.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

“It changed my life in every way. I got the show when I was a 24-year-old man; the show ended when I was 34. It formed my life. And it was the time of my life,” Perry previously told PEOPLE.

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Of the cast’s support through his ongoing addiction, Perry said, “They were understanding, and they were patient.”

He concluded: “It’s like penguins. In nature, when one is sick or very injured, the other penguins surround it and prop it up and walk around until that penguin can walk on its own. And that’s kind of what the cast did for me.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

source: people.com