The Indianapolis Colts said Thursday that they are \u201caware\u201d of an FBI investigation into the death of the team\u2019s former longtime owner, Jim Irsay, last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are aware of the investigation, but at this time, we\u2019ve not been contacted by the FBI or been served with any subpoenas,\u201d the Colts said in a statement Thursday.<\/p>\n
The team\u2019s statement came shortly after The Washington Post<\/a> reported on the investigation, citing a federal grand jury subpoena it said it had reviewed. According to The Post, federal investigators are examining Irsay\u2019s drug use \u2014 \u201cprescription\u201d and illegal \u2014 and his relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian, a California-based recovery doctor.<\/p>\n Irsay died at 65<\/a> in May 2025. His cause of death, as listed on his death certificate, was cardiac arrest caused by acute pneumonia and heart problems. No autopsy was performed.<\/p>\n Haroutunian, who was overseeing Irsay\u2019s treatment when he died in Beverly Hills, Calif., signed Irsay\u2019s death certificate.<\/p>\n \u201cI dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him \u2026 as a brother,\u201d Haroutunian told The Post<\/a> last year. \u201cWe did everything we could to make him as comfortable as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Haroutunian prescribed Irsay with opioids and ketamine in the months leading up to his death, according to The Post.<\/p>\n Ketamine can be prescribed legally and has \u201caccepted medical uses for short-term sedation and anesthesia,\u201d per the DEA<\/a>, but it was not listed on Irsay\u2019s death certificate. Ketamine has \u201challucinogenic effects,\u201d according to the DEA, and its use in substance abuse treatment remains controversial. Actor Matthew Perry died at 54 in Los Angeles in October 2023, and his cause of death was listed as \u201cthe acute effects of ketamine,\u201d per the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner<\/a>. Five people, including two doctors, were charged and pleaded guilty in Perry\u2019s death.<\/p>\n Now, the FBI is taking a closer look at Irsay\u2019s death and his connection with Haroutunian. Federal investigators traveled to Indianapolis this month to interview people who were close to Irsay in his final years, per The Post.<\/p>\n The FBI declined to comment when reached by The Athletic on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cPer FBI policy, I can\u2019t confirm or deny the existence of any investigation,\u201d FBI spokesperson Lourdes Arocho said.<\/p>\n Haroutunian did not immediately respond to emails and calls.<\/p>\n Irsay\u2019s substance abuse struggles were well-documented. One of his most infamous incidents was in March 2014. Irsay was stopped by the police for driving erratically near his home in Carmel, Ind., just outside of Indianapolis. The police found roughly $29,000 cash in Irsay\u2019s car that he had mostly been carrying in a briefcase and laundry bag, where officers also found several bottles of prescription drugs. Irsay failed several field sobriety tests and later pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated.<\/p>\n