‘It Makes You Angry’ (Exclusive)

Perry’s stepfather Keith Morrison tells PEOPLE he hopes the investigation “will serve as a warning to anyone in a position to play an enabling role: you better not do it.”

For Matthew PerryHis family’s emotions have been further complicated by a government investigation after his death last year.

Perry, who died a year ago on October 28, 2023 from acute effects of ketamineAn autopsy found abuse was committed by the defendants, United States Attorney Martin Estrada alleged. Five people have been charged in connection with his death.

Perry’s stepfather Keith Morrisonwho married Perry’s mother Suzanne Morrison in 1981, PEOPLE tells in this week’s issue that dealing with the information uncovered during the investigation has been “painful.”

“It makes you angry,” says Morrison, 77.

Related: Matthew Perry’s Stepfather Keith Morrison Shares How Their Family Fulfills the Actor’s ‘Dying Wish’ (Exclusive)

While he specifically “cannot comment” on the investigation, Keith believes his stepson’s status as a public figure played a role in the charges filed against five people, including the star’s personal live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasatwo doctors, Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Jasveen Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen,” and an acquaintance, Erik Fleming, who coordinated the sale of ketamine between Sangha and the actor.

“I can only say that I suspect that authorities and agencies have come together to investigate and lay charges against these people because Matthew is so famous or well-known that it would get around,” the spokesperson said. Dateline says host.

“People would know about this investigation, they would know about the allegations, and it would be made public and it would be a warning to anyone who was in a position to be a facilitator: you better not do it. Because of the price If you do that, it could be very high indeed.”

In a sit-down interview with Savannah Guthrie for the Today show on October 28 Perry’s mother Suzanne said she is “thrilled” that there has been some accountability for the people involved with the ketamine Perry had in his system on the day of his death.

Keith similarly told Guthrie that he “hopes” the actor’s death will act as a warning to “people who have put themselves in the business of supplying people with the drugs that will kill them.”

‘It doesn’t matter what your professional qualifications are. You’re going down, baby,” he said.

Related: Jennifer Aniston Shares Emotional Throwback Photos to Honor Matthew Perry on the 1-Year Anniversary of His Death

Morrison tells PEOPLE that his stepson “somehow believed that this particular drug he was taking was not addictive, that it wouldn’t kill him. And of course he did that too.’

“But he said to us – I think he said it publicly several times: ‘If I die suddenly, you might be shocked, but probably not surprised.'”

However, given his history of addiction, Morrison says their family – which includes his daughters with Suzanne – Caitlin, Emily, Madeline – were always tense about the possibility of losing Perry.

“He’d been close many times over the years, oh God, I can’t tell you how many, but there were several times where the doctor came to us and said, ‘He’s not going to survive the night.’ , I’m not going to survive the week.’ Or, ‘He’s almost dead, prepare for that possibility,'” Morrison recalled.

“And so for years we had to repeatedly steel ourselves for the possibility that he might die. And it was only heroic efforts by doctors that kept him alive a few times. And for which we were eternally grateful. “

Related: Matthew Perry’s mother says what would happen was inevitable Friends Actor

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The investigation into the actor’s death, which was initiated by the California Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles Police Department, remains ongoing. On August 15, three of the five people charged have pleaded guilty: Iwamasa, Dr. Chavez and Fleming.

After Chavez’s arraignment on August 30, his attorney Matthew Binniger told reporters that he is “incredibly remorseful” and “doing everything in his power to cooperate and help with this situation.”

A trial is scheduled for March 4 against Sangha and Dr. Plasencia, both of whom pleaded not guilty.

To read more about Matthew Perry, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE at the stand on Friday.

In Keith’s interview, he explained that Perry’s “dying wish” would be remembered “for helping other people, more than his fame as Friends.”

“It has now become our mission in life to continue that desire,” says Keith.

The Matthew Perry Foundation of CanadaLaunched in October by Suzanne and half-sister Caitlin, it supports people in recovery. Canada is where Perry spent most of his childhood, after Suzanne divorced Matthew’s father, John Bennett Perry, when Matthew was one year old.

There is also one US basedMatthew Perry Foundationfounded shortly after his death, which provides grants to grassroots organizations “looking to fill the gaps in people’s recovery journeys,” Doug Chapin, chairman and Matthew’s former manager, tells PEOPLE.

Matthew wanted his fans to understand that addiction “is not a moral failing,” says Keith. “It is a disease that affects large numbers of people, far more than ever before. And it is a real crisis for the entire society. It needs to be addressed. So that’s what we’re determined to do.”

For more information and to donate, visit the Matthew Perry Foundation and the Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada.

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