Investigators probing the death of Friends star Matthew Perry are reportedly considering charging “multiple people”.

People magazine reported on Wednesday (AEST) that a law enforcement insider has told it that the federal investigation into Perry’s death nine months ago will wrap up soon – with a decision on pressing charges to be made then.

Perry, 54, was found dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home in October.

In December, an autopsy report found he died from the “acute effects of ketamine” which, combined with other factors, caused him to lose consciousness and slip below the water.

Los Angeles Police and two federal agencies launched a criminal probe into how he came to have the high dose of the powerful prescription drug in his system.

“Based on the medical examiner’s findings, the Los Angeles Police Department, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Postal Inspection Service, has continued its investigation into the circumstances of Mr Perry’s death,” the LAPD said in May.

Toxicology tests found ketamine, a short-acting anaesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, in Perry’s body at dangerously high levels well within the range typically associated with general anaesthesia used in monitored surgical care, the autopsy said.

Coronary artery disease, the effects of the opioid-addiction medicine buprenorphine – also detected in his system – and drowning were listed as contributing factors in his October 28 death.

Perry had publicly acknowledged decades of drug and alcohol abuse, including the years he starred as Chandler Bing on the hit 1990s television sitcom Friends.

But at the time of his death, he had been sober for 19 months with no known relapses, according to interviews cited in his autopsy.

Witness interviews in the report said he had been having ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety.

His last-known treatment was 10 days before his death, so the ketamine found in his system by medical examiners would have been introduced since that last infusion, the autopsy said.

Earlier, an LAPD spokesman said how the five-time Emmy nominee might have obtained the ketamine or who might have supplied it to him were the focus of the ongoing investigation.

Perry’s death shocked the world. His family confirmed the “tragic loss” in a statement, saying they were heartbroken.

A day later, his Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer issued a joint statement.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss,” they wrote.

“In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

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