Brooke Mueller was questioned about her history with Matthew Perry as part of the investigation into his death, sources tell PEOPLE. However, the actress, who is Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife, was not one of the five people charged in connection with the Friends star’s fatal drug overdose last year.
Perry, 54, was found dead in his pool on Oct. 29, 2023. A medical examiner determined the actor died of “acute effects of ketamine.” Ketamine is an injectable anesthetic that “can induce a state of sedation (feeling calm and relaxed), immobility, relief from pain, and amnesia,” per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Perry’s autopsy stated he was on ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression at the time of his death, but not at levels that would be considered fatal.
According to a source, Mueller, 46, first met Perry 20 years ago before she married Sheen in 2008. They reconnected a few years ago in rehab.
“Brooke Mueller was questioned in this case because she was friends with Matthew Perry but she never used ketamine,” a source with knowledge of the investigation said.
Brooke Mueller and Charlie Sheen in 2009. The couple married in 2008 and divorced in 2011.
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Earlier this week, five individuals were charged in connection with Perry’s death. Among them were two doctors, a woman known as the “Ketamine Queen” who allegedly stashed and distributed drugs, and Perry’s live-in assistant, who testified that he gave the actor several ketamine injections on the day of his death. The assistant later discovered Perry’s lifeless body in the pool.
“These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said Thursday, Aug. 15, when announcing the charges. “Drug dealers selling dangerous substances are gambling with other people’s lives over greed. This case, along with our many other prosecutions of drug-dealers who cause death, send a clear message that we will hold drug-dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.”
“It’s so sad what happened to Matthew,” the source adds. “I think it’s despicable how doctors can overprescribe any addictive drugs to people, especially addicts.”
However, the source added the blame has to be shared.
Matthew Perry in 2017.
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“Everyone wants to put the blame on others, but it’s the addict who bought and took the drug,” the source continues. “It’s easy to buy drugs anywhere in Los Angeles if you want or need them badly enough and you can afford it.”
The Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service are continuing to investigate Perry’s death.
The actor, who had been quite vocal about his addiction struggles throughout the years, would’ve turned 55 on Aug. 19.
