Matthew Perry’s stepfather releases statement on arrests: “We look forward to justice taking its course”

Posted On August 17, 2024August 17, 2024

Keith Morrison, the stepfather of the late Friends star Matthew Perry, has reacted to the recent news of arrests in connection to the comedy actor’s death. Following postmortem examinations, coroners concluded that Perry had drowned in his hot tub after taking a large dose of ketamine.

On August 15th, the Los Angeles police arrested five people in connection to Perry’s death, including his personal assistant and two of his doctors. The ongoing investigation has uprooted a “broad criminal network” of ketamine suppliers who, as the federal authorities put it, “took advantage” of Perry’s long-lived addiction struggle.

The beloved star’s stepfather has now commented on the new developments via NBC. “We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously,” he stated. “We look forward to justice taking its course, and we’re grateful for the exceptional work of the multiple agencies whose agents investigated Matthew’s death. We’re hoping unscrupulous suppliers of dangerous drugs will get the message.”

Almost ten months have passed since the tragic death of the beloved Chandler Bing actor, who was just 54 at the time. Initial reports stated that the actor had been found “unresponsive” in his hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home. In the year leading up to his death, it is reported that Perry received ketamine infusion therapy as a legal treatment method for depression and anxiety. Medical professionals believed the therapy could help curtail cravings for alcohol and other, more dangerous drugs.

In December, the postmortem examiner claimed that “the ketamine in his system at death could not be that from infusion therapy.” They could not confirm the method of consumption, but Perry was supposedly clean at the time and had been for 19 months.

The postmortem team also noted that, although the concentrations of ketamine in Perry’s blood were high, drowning was most likely the ultimate cause of death. “At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens,” senior deputy medical examiner Raffi Djabourian wrote, “the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.”

The examiner continued, outlining the role of the hot tub in Perry’s demise. “Drowning contributes to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine-induced myocardial effects on the hearts.”

On June 25th, the LAPD disclosed that it was working closely with the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to reach a satisfactory conclusion in the investigation of Perry’s friends, family and fans.

Following his passing, his Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston wrote in an emotional tribute: “Oh boy, this one has cut deep… Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love.”

This is a developing story.

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