Former NFL owner’s death draws federal scrutiny

INDIANAPOLIS — Federal authorities are investigating the death of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who died last May at age 65. The FBI is looking into how he was treated with prescription drugs and ketamine before he died and the role of a doctor who cared for him. The FBI issued a federal grand jury subpoena earlier this month. The subpoena seeks records about his death, his use of prescription and illegal drugs, and his relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian, a California-based addiction specialist who treated him in the final months of his life. Investigators also spent several days in Indianapolis interviewing people who knew Irsay and gathering information about his final years. Authorities want to know whether drugs played a role in how he died. Irsay died on May 21, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in California. Officials said he died in his sleep from cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia and heart problems. No autopsy or toxicology tests were done at the time. But news reports said Irsay had been secretly struggling with a relapse of addiction in the years before he died. Friends and people close to him said he was taking prescription opioid pain pills and receiving ketamine injections. One investigation found that the doctor, Haroutunian, gave Irsay more than 200 opioid pills over a short period, and that Irsay suffered drug overdoses in late 2023. Friends say the doctor continued ketamine treatments even after these incidents. Ketamine is a powerful drug often used in medical settings, but experts say it can be risky when given to people with addiction issues or heart problems. Some critics point to other high‑profile cases where ketamine was tied to a celebrity’s death. The Colts organization said it is aware of the FBI’s inquiry but has not been contacted directly by the bureau. The team’s chief legal officer said no subpoenas have been served to the club or its current employees. Irsay was known for being open about his past struggles with addiction and even started a foundation to help others dealing with similar problems. His family and friends remember him for his generosity and love of football, music, and charity work. Now, investigators continue to review records and talk to people who knew Irsay and Haroutunian. It may be months before the public learns more about what the FBI finds in its investigation.