Matthew Perry's stepfather breaks his silence after ketamine arrests in actor's death: 'We were and still are…' | Hollywood

Morrison, known for his work on “Dateline NBC,” released a family statement to multiple sources this week saying, “Matthew's death broke our hearts and we continue to hurt, but it has helped us know that law enforcement took his case very seriously.”

He also thanked numerous agencies whose agents investigated Perry's death for their excellent work and said, “We look forward to justice.” He added that they hope the dishonest dealers of harmful drugs get the message.

Read also: The creator of 'Friends' wants fans to remember Matthew Perry as the man who 'brought joy' as new details emerge about the actor's death

A look into the investigation into the death of Matthew Perry

The Justice Department recently charged physician Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, a woman known as the “Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood due to her alleged drug trafficking, in connection with Perry’s death.

The three other defendants in the case, Erik Fleming, Kenneth Iwamasa and Dr. Mark Chavez, have either already admitted their guilt or agreed to do so, according to the Justice Department.

The defendants are each accused of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

According to the department, Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deliver ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. He claimed to have obtained the substance from Sangha and given vials of ketamine to Perry's aide, Iwamasa.

On the day of Perry's death, Iwamasa gave him repeated ketamine injections, according to the department.

Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Perry, who rose to fame through his role as Chandler Bing in the popular sitcom “Friends,” was found dead in his hot tub last year. He had apparently drowned. According to the autopsy report, ketamine was the cause of death, with drowning playing only a minor role.

Morrison, who had known Perry since childhood, married his mother in 1981.

In an interview with the podcast “Making Space,” Morrison revealed that Perry and his mother were close at the time of Perry's death and that he feels his loss “every day.”