Police and drugs agency investigate death of Matthew Perry

A police investigation into actor Matthew Perry’s death will continue after it was ruled an accident.

The Friends star, who died in October at the age of 54, was open about his battle with substance abuse and addiction and had set up a sober living facility for men with similar issues.

Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to the PA news agency that it is working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the “open investigation” into the circumstances of Perry’s death, which a medical examiner concluded was from the effects of ketamine.

It will reportedly look at how the general anaesthetic was obtained by the actor, who played Chandler Bing in hit US sitcom Friends.

Perry was found “unresponsive in the pool at his residence” in Los Angeles on October 28.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said in December that Perry died from the “acute effects of ketamine” and said the “manner of death is accident”.

A post-mortem examination concluded that “drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine” – which is described as an “opioid-like drug used in the treatment of opioid addiction as well as acute and chronic pain” – were contributing factors.

The report said Perry was receiving “ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety”, with his last known treatment one and a half weeks before his death, and suggested he had been “reportedly clean for 19 months” from drug use.

“The ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy,” the ruling said.

The report was not able to specify the “exact method of intake” in Perry’s case.

A foundation set up in his name to help those struggling with addiction has previously drawn support from his Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel Green.

The actor was honoured during the in memoriam segment at the Bafta TV Awards ceremony earlier this month, and at the Emmy Awards in January.