No, LAPD did not declare Matthew Perry's death a murder | Fact check

The claim: The LAPD said Matthew Perry was murdered

A June 28 article from The People’s Voice purports to break news about the Los Angeles Police Department's investigation into actor Matthew Perry's death.

“LAPD Bombshell: ‘Matthew Perry Was Murdered,’” the headline reads. 

The article states, “LAPD investigators say they believe Matthew Perry was murdered following revelations that the 'Friends' star was about to name and shame elite pedophiles in Hollywood.” 

The article was shared on Facebook more than 100 times, according to social analytics tool Crowdtangle. A screenshot of the headline was also shared on X, where it was reposted 10,000 times. 

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Our rating: False

The LAPD launched a criminal investigation into the source of the ketamine that led to Perry's death, but there have been no reputable reports of any finding that Perry was murdered. The People’s Voice routinely publishes misinformation.

Police investigating origin of drugs that led to Perry's death

Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the sitcom “Friends,” died on Oct. 28, 2023, at age 54. The Los Angeles County medical examiner ruled on Dec. 15 that the acute effects of ketamine caused his death, which was ruled accidental.

In May, the LAPD announced it was conducting a criminal investigation into the source of the ketamine with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. 

The LAPD declined to comment to USA TODAY beyond confirming there is an ongoing investigation into Perry's death. No reputable sources have reported any finding that Perry was murdered.

The People’s Voice story includes a link to a People Magazine article about the criminal investigation, but it makes no mention of murder.

There is also no credible evidence that Perry was getting ready to expose “elite pedophiles in Hollywood.” USA TODAY debunked a similar false conspiracy theory that claimed Perry posted about exposing a pedophile ring shortly before his death.

Fact check: Bugatti debunks false claim about car purchase by Zelenskyy's wife

USA TODAY has frequently debunked false claims published by The People’s Voice, which was formerly known as News Punch. The website’s false conspiracy theories have included claims that Nikki Haley said only Bill Gates can save humanity, that former President Bill Clinton and Pope Francis called for “human depopulation” and that a billion people died from the COVID-19 vaccine. 

USA TODAY reached out to The People’s Voice for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

• County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, Dec. 15, 2023, Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Matthew Langford Perry
• CNN, May 21, LAPD and federal authorities investigating source of ketamine that led to Matthew Perry’s death

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.