Despite initially being ruled a “natural” death, the FBI is now investigating the passing of Jim Irsay, the former owner of the Indianapolis Colts, alongside scrutiny of the recovery physician who treated him. Federal authorities are examining Irsay’s medical care, including the prescribing of prescription painkillers and the administration of ketamine, following reports that raised questions about his treatment and substance use before his death in May 2025. As federal authorities look deeper into those circumstances, the franchise has now addressed the matter publicly for the first time.

“I do understand that there have been some subpoenas provided, but not to me, the Colts, or any of our current employees,” Colts chief legal officer Dan Emerson said on a phone interview on Thursday, while declining to elaborate further.

According to documents reviewed by The Washington Post, the inquiry stems from a federal grand jury subpoena issued earlier this month by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The subpoena seeks records related to Irsay’s death, his use of both prescription and illegal substances, and his professional and personal relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian, a California-based addiction specialist who oversaw his care.

As that inquiry moved forward, federal agents traveled to Indianapolis for several days this month and interviewed multiple people who were close to Irsay during the final years of his life, according to individuals familiar with the matter. Those individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing inquiry and the absence of authorization to discuss it publicly.

At the same time, neither law enforcement agency initially involved in the case has confirmed direct coordination with federal authorities. A spokesperson for the FBI’s Los Angeles field office did not respond to a request for comment, while a representative for the Beverly Hills Police Department said the department has not been contacted by the FBI regarding the case. Beverly Hills police had previously closed their investigation into Irsay’s death within days.

That original investigation concluded shortly after Irsay’s death, which occurred in May 2025 at the age of 65 while vacationing at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Haroutunian, who was staying at the same hotel to oversee his treatment, later signed the death certificate, listing cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia and underlying heart conditions as the cause of death. No autopsy was conducted.

Months later, however, public scrutiny intensified months later, after an August investigation by The Washington Post reported that Irsay had relapsed after years of publicly claiming sobriety. The report detailed how, in the final months of his life, he was receiving opioid pills and ketamine injections prescribed by Haroutunian in quantities that alarmed several people within his inner circle.

That reporting included documentation showing Haroutunian prescribed more than 200 opioid pills to Irsay in the days leading up to two overdoses in December 2023, which occurred twelve days apart. One overdose took place at Irsay’s home outside Indianapolis, while the second occurred at a hotel outside Miami, ultimately leaving him hospitalized for several months.

Public explanations at the time differed sharply from those findings. The Colts described Irsay’s condition as a severe respiratory illness, while Irsay later attributed his hospitalization to recovery from back surgery. Subsequent reporting confirmed that both December incidents were overdoses, contradicting his public explanations.

Following those overdoses, Haroutunian later incorporated ketamine into Irsay’s treatment plan, according to four people who witnessed the injections. While ketamine has accepted medical uses for anesthesia and short-term sedation, its role in treating substance use disorders remains controversial among medical experts. The drug was not listed on Irsay’s death certificate.

“I dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him … as a brother,” Haroutunian told The Washington Post last summer, defending his treatment decisions. He did not respond to additional requests for comment this week.

The focus on ketamine has only sharpened in recent years, particularly following the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry in Los Angeles, which was attributed to the acute effects of the drug. That case led to federal charges against five individuals, including two physicians, underscoring growing law-enforcement attention on its misuse.

Despite it all, Irsay was one of the NFL’s most visible and unconventional owners. He was known for his influence within the league and had shown willingness to speak openly about addiction quite often. 

How Jim Irsay used his addiction to drive change

Jim Irsay battled addiction for most of his life, and his struggle followed him until his last days. Still, the late Colts legend chose to confront his struggles publicly and turn them into a cause to support others. Using his own experiences, he openly spoke about addiction and its dire consequences. He took it upon himself to change the perception of mental health in society’s view.

In 2020, Irsay launched a Kicking the Stigma campaign, which focused on removing the stigma around mental illness, including substance use disorders. Through the initiative, he pledged $31 million toward mental health education, research, and awareness. The campaign also spent $6.4 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. Meanwhile, the Colts also offered support to players battling various mental health issues. No wonder the franchise once honored him with a touching gesture. In interviews, Irsay often used stark language to prove his point. 

“These are fatal diseases,” Irsay told IndyStar’s Gregg Doyel in 2022. “People get confused and they think, ‘Well, he likes to party. Do some coke, do some shots, dance around.’ It’s nothing to do with that. This isn’t partying. This is a downbound train in the dark.”

During a 2012 interview with ESPN, Irsay opened up about his sobriety and the lifelong battle that comes with recovery. Overall, Irsay emphasized that recovery begins with diagnosing the true nature of the illness. By recounting experiences, he helped to brush off the idea of addiction as a personal flaw. In the final chapter of his life, one of his key focuses was helping others recognize addiction as an illness.