Matthew Perry’s stepfather Keith Morrison breaks silence over arrests made in actor’s death investigation

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Matthew Perry’s family, including his stepfather Keith Morrison, may finally find a bit of peace after several people have been charged in the case of the ‘Friends’ actor’s tragic October 2023 death, aged 54 due to ketamine overdose. 

News broke on Thursday, August 5, that five people, including two doctors, a woman called “Ketamine Queen,” Perry’s live-in assistant, and a broker, were charged concerning Perry’s demise. "An arrest” has also been made in the case, per the Los Angeles Times.

Amid the latest development, the ‘17 Again’ actor’s family issued a statement thanking the authorities for their action against the alleged perpetrators.

Matthew Perry’s family issues statement

Following the recent development, in a statement to NBC News, Matthew Perry’s family said, "We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death.”

"But it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously. We look forward to justice taking its course,” added the family. 

Morrison, the famous journalist and Dateline host, became the actor’s stepfather when he married Perry’s mother, Suzanne Perry, in 1981. Since the actor's death, Morrison has been relentlessly pursuing the case in the hope of delivering retribution to the wrongdoers. 

At the time of his passing, 'The Whole Nine Yards' actor had about 3.54 micrograms per milliliter of ketamine in his bloodstream — which is nearly three times the normal amount.

Morrison, who shared a special bond with his stepson, was also named as the informant on Perry’s death certificate, meaning he was the one who identified the actor to the authorities after his demise. 

Appearing on Hoda Kotb’s ‘Making Space’ podcast in March 2024, the journalist reflected on his stepson’s death, saying, “As other people have told me hundreds of times, it doesn’t go away,” per New York Post. 

He continued, “It’s with you every day. It’s with you all the time, and there’s some new aspect of it that assaults your brain. It’s not easy, especially for his mom.”

On being asked whether he was surprised by the news of the tragedy, he replied, “It was the news you never want to get, but you think someday you might. Yes and no, I guess is the answer to that.”

Charges have been made in Matthew Perry’s death

The ‘The Whole Nine Yards’ actor was found unresponsive and lying face down in the hot tub of his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, 2023. 

The autopsy report revealed that the actor had nearly three times the normal amount of ketamine, about 3.54 micrograms per milliliter, in his bloodstream.

The level of ketamine found in Perry's system was equivalent to the amount used for general anesthesia during surgery, which raised concerns about its origin and administration.

After months of investigation, arrests have been made for the tragic incident after five people were charged in the case.

On Thursday, August 15, the Department of Justice shared in a press conference that an investigation revealed that a “broad underground criminal network,” including Perry’s assistant and doctors, was involved in the actor’s death. 

The defendants named in the case are Jasveen Sangha, 41, also known as the “Ketamine Queen,” Dr Salvador Plasencia, 42, Dr Mark Chavez, 54, Eric Fleming, 54, (broker), and Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, his live-in assistant.