FBI Investigating Circumstances Surrounding Jim Irsay’s Death
The late Jim Irsay, longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts and one of the NFL's most recognizable figures, is now at the center of an FBI investigation following his death. According to recent reports, the federal agency is looking into both the circumstances surrounding Irsay’s passing and the role of a California-based recovery doctor who had been treating him in the final months of his life.
Sources indicate that the doctor in question, Dr. Harry Haroutunian, had prescribed Irsay a combination of painkillers and ketamine prior to his death.
Haroutunian, a well-known addiction specialist with a history of treating high-profile patients, reportedly signed Irsay’s death certificate, listing the cause of death as “cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia and heart issues.” No autopsy was performed.
Haroutunian’s name might ring a bell in celebrity recovery circles-he’s a former physician director and spokesperson for the Betty Ford Center in Southern California and has worked with several well-known figures over the years, including Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
At the time of his death, Irsay had reportedly relapsed in his battle with addiction and was under Haroutunian’s care at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Colts Chief Legal Officer Dan Emerson confirmed the team is aware of the investigation. Speaking in a phone interview, Emerson stated that neither he, the Colts organization, nor any current employees have been served with subpoenas or contacted by the FBI. “I do understand that there have been some subpoenas provided, but not to me, the Colts or any of our current employees,” he said, declining to offer further comment.
Haroutunian has not responded to requests for comment.
For Colts fans and the broader NFL community, the investigation adds a new layer of complexity to the legacy of Jim Irsay-a man whose tenure with the team spanned decades and whose impact on the league was undeniable.
Irsay’s NFL journey began in 1984 when he was named general manager and vice president of the Colts shortly after the franchise’s move from Baltimore to Indianapolis. In 1996, he assumed day-to-day control of the organization, and just a year later, at 37, became the youngest team owner in the league.
Under his leadership, the Colts evolved from a struggling franchise into a perennial contender, highlighted by a Super Bowl XLI victory and the Peyton Manning era that defined a generation of Indianapolis football.
Now, in the wake of his passing, the questions surrounding his final days are drawing national attention. While the investigation unfolds, what remains clear is that Irsay’s complicated, deeply human story continues to resonate far beyond the field.