FBI investigating the passing of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay after doctor ruled it as “natural” cause of death

The Washington Post’s Will Hobson, Albert Samaha, and Sam Fortier reported that the FBI is investigating the death of Jim Irsay, the former owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, and the recovery doctor who provided Irsay with prescription pain pills and ketamine in his final months, according to documents reviewed by The Post and two people with knowledge of the investigation.

According to The Post, a federal grand jury subpoena seeks information on Irsay’s death, substance abuse, and his relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian. It was issued earlier this month by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.

Jim Irsay died due to cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia and heart issues

Dov Kleiman, sports media personality, reported on X: “����������������: The FBI is investigating the death of former Colts owner Jim Irsay and the doctor who was supplying him with huge amounts of opioids and ketamine injections. That same doctor signed Irsay’s death certificate and ruled it as a “natural” cause of death. What a terrible story. (via @washingtonpost).”

The Colts owner died at 65 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles in May 2025. The Post reported that Dr. Haroutunian was also staying at the hotel and treating Irsay before his death.

According to his death certificate, Irsay suffered a cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia and heart issues. At the time, the Colts said Irsay passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Dr. Haroutunian oversaw Irsay’s treatment and signed the death certificate. No autopsy was performed, and the Beverly Hills Police Department did not initiate an investigation.

Alarming amounts of opioid pills

An August report indicates that Irsay’s addiction to pain medications relapsed. The Post reports that in Irsay’s final months, he received opioid pills and ketamine injections from Dr. Haroutunian in amounts that “alarmed several people” close to him.

In Dec. 2023, Haroutunian prescribed him 200 opioid pills, and the Colts owner overdosed twice in a 12-day span that month. After that, ketamine injections became part of Haroutunian’s treatment.

“I dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him…as a brother,” Haroutunian told The Post. “We did everything we could to make him as comfortable as possible.”

Friends actor Matthew Perry’s passing involved ketamine

Sam Robinson of Yardbarker.com reported that the death of actor Matthew Perry led to criminal charges for five people who provided him with ketamine, including two doctors.

In Dec. 2025, Meredith Deliso of ABC News reported that a doctor who admitted distributing ketamine to Perry weeks before he died was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

Matthew Perry died at 54 in October 2023. Police found him unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home. An autopsy revealed he died from the acute effects of ketamine.

Indianapolis Colts release a statement

The Colts said in Friday [01/23/2026]'s statement: "We are aware of the investigation, but at this time, we've not been contacted by the FBI or been served with any subpoenas."

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league would not comment on the report.

Get the latest WPL 2026 updates including WPL teams, full WPL 2026 schedule, and live scores for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals. Also check the latest WPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.