Six months after the tragic passing of beloved Friends star Matthew Perry, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have initiated a joint criminal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise, according to a statement from the LAPD.

Perry, who died on October 28 at the age of 54, was found to have succumbed to the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine, as revealed by his autopsy. The report, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, indicated that the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood were associated with potentially lethal cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression.

Although Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy, a method known to assist with various issues including depression, anxiety, addiction, and chronic pain, the autopsy findings suggested that the ketamine in his system at the time of death could not be solely attributed to his therapy sessions. Ketamine has a short half-life of three to four hours, casting suspicion on how Perry came into possession of such a high quantity of the drug.

The investigation aims to shed light on how Perry obtained the substantial amount of ketamine and whether he had any involvement in its possession. Initially ruled as an accident with no indication of foul play, the LAPD and DEA's collaboration seeks to delve deeper into the circumstances leading up to Perry's tragic demise.

Alongside ketamine, the autopsy also revealed that drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used in treating opioid addiction, contributed to Perry's death.

Matthew Perry, known for his role in the popular sitcom Friends, had been open about his experiences with ketamine therapy in his memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. In it, he described the feelings of intensity and unconventional relief that he associated with the drug, likening it to being "hit in the head with a giant happy shovel." However, Perry acknowledged the overwhelming aftermath, which he felt outweighed the positive effects.

On the day of his death, Perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home, floating face down. Law enforcement conducted an initial screening, and the autopsy was completed by the L.A. County Medical Examiner's office. The case was initially listed as "deferred" on the official website before being taken down, with the full report subsequently released on December 15.

As the investigation progresses, both authorities and fans alike hope to gain a clearer understanding of the events leading up to Matthew Perry's tragic passing.