Matthew Perry died in 2023, but his case is still being investigated. The cause of death was determined, but a famous woman is being questioned further. Yet, the woman has denied any involvement in the late actor’s passing.
Who Reported Matthew Perry’s Death?
Die-hard fans know that Perry was 54 when the police arrived at his Los Angeles home in response to a 911 call by his assistant at around 4 p.m. They found him unresponsive on Saturday, October 28, 2023. He drowned in a hot tub before authorities declared him dead.
Sources revealed that no illegal substances were discovered at the scene. Yet, another insider said toxicology would be part of the investigation because prescription medications were found at Perry’s home.
Several helicopters flew around the scene of the incident. Not long after 7 p.m., Suzanne, the late star’s mother, and Keith Morrison, her husband, arrived. The broadcaster refused to leave a comment, and a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer confirmed that he had no information.
What Perry’s Neighbors Had to Say about Him
Perry’s neighbor on Bluesail Drive, who went by Peter, said he and the “Friends” star only spoke once for five minutes. The neighbor recalled the late actor as a “nice guy” and “very pleasant.”
Another neighbor, a 17-year-old boy, said he and his younger siblings were “left disturbed” by seeing “too much” at the scene. Some of the celebrity’s neighbors could see into the late star’s home over their back fences.
The teenager revealed that he was home when the ambulance arrived just as he was about to visit a friend’s house. He saw the medical professionals outside Perry’s door but didn’t think much of it at the time. But when the police started arriving, he noticed the commotion next door.
The young man recalled how the authorities didn’t hammer Perry’s door and were generally quiet. The unnamed neighbor stated, “It was very disturbing, and very sad after all those years… from what he’s gone through and his addictions and whatever.”
The teenager claimed to have seen everything and felt “bad” for his younger siblings. He said he was “very sad” and somehow kind of expected what happened “in some sense” but not that soon. The neighbor noted that Perry hadn’t lived next to them for long.
Matthew Perry at the 13th Annual Lili Claire Foundation Garden Party Benefit Luncheon on October 3, 2010, in Brentwood, California | Source: Getty Images
He shared how heartbroken he was to see what happened. The young man recalled coming across the actor once and being treated with more friendliness than he’d expected. The late celebrity was described as a “very nice, genuine guy.”
Matthew Perry at the Los Angeles premiere of “17 Again” in Hollywood, California, on April 14, 2009 | Source: Getty Images
His neighbor said he’d always looked up to Perry and he was probably one of his favorite actors. The young man recalled how the late star made the funniest jokes on “Friends.” He hoped the actor’s family and friends would come together during that difficult time.
What Is Known about the Actor’s Last 24 Hours and Hour Alive
Twenty-four hours before his death, on October 27, 2023, Perry went out for lunch with a woman at the Hotel Bel-Air. He was described as being in “good spirits” during the final weeks of his life. Witnesses said the celebrity and the mysterious woman sat together for more than an hour before leaving.
Images taken of the pair show them chatting, but Perry allegedly barely touched his food and drink. The pictures were taken at about 2:30 p.m. People close to the late actor said he “was never happier” than he was before his death.
They shared that he was ready to get back to work after committing to develop new television series ideas and to act in a new film. He was said to have been full of energy in recent days. The timeline of the last hours Perry was alive is also detailed.
Matthew Perry seen on September 1, 2016, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Sources revealed that the star arrived home in the early hours of the day he died. He spent two hours playing pickleball before sending his assistant on an errand shortly after returning home. The assistant returned to the actor’s home about two hours later and found him before calling for help.
What Is Currently Known in Perry’s Case
On May 21, 2024, the Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Division took to X to give an update on Perry’s case. It revealed that the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on the late actor on October 29, 2023.
Matthew Perry visits SiriusXM Studios on March 30, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
On December 15, 2023, the autopsy showed that the late celebrity died from the “acute effects of ketamine.” The LAPD has been using information collected from the US Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The information is used to continue its investigation into figuring out why Perry had so much ketamine in his system.
A report said it wasn’t clear how the late star ingested the drug. The autopsy revealed that “prescription medications and loose pills” were discovered at his home. It was also noted that ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug.
It’s described as having “established medical and surgical uses.” Perry received “ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety” and his autopsy confirmed that he was undergoing infusion therapy with the drug at the time of his death.
Matthew Perry on stage during the opening night curtain call of “The End Of Longing” at Lucille Lortel Theatre on June 5, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
He’d taken his last known treatment over a week before his death. According to the medical examiner, the ketamine found in his system could not have come from his infusion therapy. That is because ketamine’s half-life is three to four hours or less.
In June 2024, a source with law enforcement shared that Perry’s investigation was nearing a close.
Matthew Perry at “The End Of Longing” cast photocall on April 20, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
The star’s death was ruled accidental, with drowning and coronary artery disease included as some of the factors involved. Buprenorphine effects, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, was also named as a factor that contributed to Perry’s death.
Perry Opens up about His Addiction Issues
A year before dying, Perry confessed in his memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” about his addiction struggles. Speaking to a publication for a 2022 cover story, the celebrity said he wished to share his truth when he knew he was “safe from going into the dark side again.”
He explained that he waited until he was safely sober and clean before writing his book. The comedian noted how certain he was that it would help many people if he did.
The Celebrity Linked to Perry’s Case
According to an insider, authorities believe that “multiple people” could face charges in his death. But, the attorney’s office would decide whether to press charges or not.
Matthew Perry at the film premiere of “The Kid” on June 25, 2000, in Orange, California | Source: Getty Images
The “multiple people” who might face charges include another celebrity. On June 27, 2024, reports revealed that a criminal investigation into Perry’s death could consist of information from Brooke Mueller.
Brooke Mueller at Comedy Central’s Roast of Charlie Sheen at Sony Studios on September 10, 2011, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Mueller, Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife, was reportedly questioned several times about the late actor’s death. The former couple were married for three years before their 2011 divorce. Police allegedly tried contacting the 46-year-old actress last month with a search warrant where she’s staying at a sober living house, but she wasn’t home.
A source said the actress was exercising at the time, but when she returned, she was “completely cooperative.” Sheen’s ex hired attorneys and had many meetings with the police since their arrival with a search warrant.
A handout photograph of 34-year-old Brooke Mueller posing for her mugshot after being arrested on December 3, 2011, in Aspen, Colorado | Source: Getty Images
But an insider revealed Mueller wasn’t talking about the matter. The insider noted how difficult it was to know what her role in Matthew Perry‘s death was, but she insists she wasn’t involved. Authorities reportedly took a laptop and an iPhone from the actress.
It isn’t clear what relationship the pair shared, but a source noted that she met him in rehabilitation. The pair then “formed an unexpected friendship.”
Charlie Sheen, Brooke Mueller, and their sons Max and Bob Sheen celebrate Charlie’s birthday at Buca di Beppo on September 3, 2011, in Encino, California | Source: Getty Images
Sheen was recently given full custody of their twin sons if their mother failed an alcohol or drug test. The two actors share joint custody of their children, but the twins mainly live with their father.
Mueller and Sheen were married for three years before divorcing in 2011. A judge recently granted Sheen full custody of their twin sons if Mueller failed a drug or alcohol test. The two share joint custody, although the twins primarily live with Sheen.
