Colts owner Jim Irsay secretly relapsed with opioids and ketamine before passing away in Beverly Hills at 65 | NFL News
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who passed away on May 21, 2025, at the age of 65, had been struggling in secret with a relapse in the final years of his life, according to a new investigation by The Washington Post. The report says Irsay was receiving opioids and later ketamine from his recovery doctor, while team executives and people close to him kept his condition hidden from the public. He was found dead in a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills, California, where he often stayed.
Jim Irsay’s hidden relapse and secret treatments before May 2025 death
The Washington Post investigation, published on August 28, 2025, shared accounts from five people with direct knowledge of Jim Irsay’s relapse. They said they saw him taking opioid pills, and four of them said they personally witnessed him receive ketamine injections.The report explained that Irsay’s health issues had long been presented as something else publicly, including statements from the Colts organization, but in reality, he had suffered several overdoses in the past few years.The Post found evidence of three overdoses before his death: once in Turks and Caicos in 2020, when he had to be flown by air ambulance for treatment; another in December 2023 at his Carmel, Indiana home, where police listed the case as an overdose; and a third 12 days later in Florida, when he was rushed to a hospital from a resort near Miami.After that Florida incident, Irsay was flown to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where he spent nearly four months recovering. Even after this, he continued to receive prescriptions from Dr. Harry Haroutunian, an addiction specialist based in California. The doctor first prescribed opioids and later ketamine, which concerned those close to him.On May 21, 2025, Irsay was discovered dead in his Beverly Hills hotel suite, described as having a “hospital-bed type setup.” That evening, the Colts announced that he had “passed away peacefully in his sleep.”Also Read: Most-liked Instagram posts of all time: Where Taylor Swift’s engagement post ranks
Family of Jim Irsay responds after new report on relapse and overdoses
When contacted about the report, the Irsay family shared a statement with local station 13News and The Washington Post.“We continue to grieve the loss of our Dad, a man defined not only by his role as owner of the Colts, but also by his resilience, his personal struggles, and his deep love for family, friends, and community. Throughout his life, our Dad was open about his battles with addiction and mental health. He never claimed to be perfect. Instead, he used his voice to reduce stigma and advocate for those facing similar challenges, with honesty, vulnerability, and compassion.”The family added:“We understand the public interest in his life and legacy. While we respect the role of responsible journalism, we decline to comment on the allegations in your inquiry. The media is not the place to address inquiries about information which is disputed, lacks essential context, or involves private medical matters. Our focus remains on honoring our Dad’s legacy, his decades of philanthropy, his loyalty to the Colts and its fans, and his passion for mental health advocacy, music, and second chances.”Police in Beverly Hills confirmed they saw no signs of foul play or overdose at the time of his death. No autopsy was conducted.
