Federal Investigation Launched into Former NFL Owner's Death
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reportedly opened an investigation into the death of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, along with the California-based addiction specialist who was treating him in the final months of his life. According to documents obtained by the Washington Post, federal agents are examining the circumstances surrounding Irsay's passing in May 2025, including his substance use and relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian.
Grand Jury Subpoena Seeks Medical Records
A grand jury subpoena issued by a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles earlier this month requests comprehensive records about Irsay's death. The document specifically asks for information regarding:
- Irsay's substance use, both illegal and prescription
- His relationship with Dr. Haroutunian
- Medical treatment received in his final months
Federal investigators have already conducted interviews in Indianapolis with multiple people close to the Super Bowl-winning team owner in the years preceding his death. The Washington Post reported these developments citing two anonymous sources with direct knowledge of the ongoing investigation.
Doctor Present During Final Days
Irsay was vacationing in Los Angeles when he died at age 65, staying at the prestigious Beverly Hills Hotel. Dr. Haroutunian, who was overseeing his addiction treatment, was reportedly staying at the same hotel at the time of Irsay's death. The doctor had also signed Irsay's death certificate, which listed cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia and heart issues as the official cause.
Beverly Hills police closed their investigation into the matter just days after Irsay's passing, despite no autopsy being performed. The FBI's Los Angeles field office declined to comment on the investigation when contacted by reporters.
History of Addiction and Secret Relapse
Jim Irsay had a well-documented history of addiction struggles, having overdosed multiple times in the years before his death. According to previous reports, the former Colts owner had secretly relapsed and was allegedly receiving opioid pills and ketamine from Dr. Haroutunian in quantities that concerned several people close to him.
Dr. Haroutunian, a former physician director at the renowned Betty Ford Clinic, told the Washington Post last summer that he had dedicated eighteen months to caring for Irsay "as a brother" and had done everything possible to make him comfortable during treatment.
Ketamine's Controversial Role
The investigation brings renewed attention to ketamine, a drug that has made headlines in recent years following several high-profile deaths. Canadian actor Matthew Perry died in October 2023 from what an autopsy determined were the "acute effects of ketamine," leading to multiple guilty pleas from people who provided him with the substance.
The FBI's investigation into Irsay's death represents a significant development in understanding the circumstances surrounding the passing of one of the NFL's most prominent team owners. As federal agents continue their work, more details may emerge about the complex relationship between addiction treatment, prescription practices, and professional sports ownership.
