NEED TO KNOW
Jim Irsay was the longtime owner of the Indianapolis Colts
Irsay “passed away peacefully” in his sleep in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 21, 2025
His death, which was originally determined to be from natural causes, is now reportedly being investigated by the FBI
Jim Irsay owned the Indianapolis Colts for 28 years before his death.
On May 21, 2025, the Colts shared a statement announcing that the longtime owner had “passed away peacefully” earlier that day. He was 65 years old.
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Irsay’s death certificate later stated that he died from heart issues and complications due to pneumonia. Three months after his death, The Washington Post reported that Irsay, who had struggled with opiod addiction for years, had allegedly relapsed in the final years of his life.
The publication further connected Irsay to California-based addiction doctor Harry Haroutunian, who allegedly treated Irsay in the months before his death. At the time, Haroutunian reportedly signed off on Irsay’s death certificate and told police that he died from natural causes.
Eight months later, his death is being investigated by the FBI, The Washington Post reported on Jan. 22. The FBI is reportedly looking into Irsay’s ties to Haroutunian and his history of substance abuse.
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Here’s everything to know about Jim Irsay’s death and why the FBI is reportedly involved.
Who was Jim Irsay?
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Jim Irsay during halftime of the Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 10, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Irsay was just 12 years old when he started to get involved with the Colts. His father, businessman Robert Irsay, acquired the then-Baltimore Colts in 1972 and moved the team to Indianapolis in 1984. Later that same year, Jim became the general manager and worked in that position until 1997 when he took over as the team owner after his father’s death.
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“Some of Jim’s fondest memories came from his youth working training camps in Baltimore and growing relationships with players, coaches and staff whom he considered his extended family,” the Colts wrote in the tribute. “He worked in every department before he was named the youngest general manager in team history in 1984 when the Colts arrived in Indianapolis.”
After he became the owner, the team had a series of division titles and a Super Bowl win in 2007. “Jim’s generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country. He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives,” the message continued. Irsay, who had an estimated net worth of $4.8 billion at the time of his death, per Forbes, donated a portion of $25 million to his Kicking The Stigma charity.
In addition to having a career in the NFL for more than five decades, Irsay was also a father to three daughters, whom he shared with his ex-wife, Meg Coyle. He was also a grandfather to 10, per ESPN. The ownership of the team transitioned to Irsay’s daughters after his death.
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However, Irsay also made headlines for his personal life and was arrested for a DUI in 2014. He later said, in November 2023, that he was only arrested because he was “prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire.” The following month, he was found unresponsive after an apparent overdose, according to ESPN.
How did Irsay die?
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Jim Irsay attends the 4th Annual NFL Honors at Phoenix Convention Center on January 31, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Irsay died on May 21, 2025, in a Beverly Hills hotel room, according to The New York Times. At the time, the Colts didn’t share a cause of death but stated that he “passed away peacefully” in his sleep.
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The New York Times later obtained a death certificate that stated Irsay’s cause of death was cardiac arrest and cited acute pneumonia, chronic atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia as contributing conditions.
Prior to his death, Irsay had struggled with opiod addiction. In August 2025, The Washington Post published an exposé that alleged Irsay had relapsed in the final years of his life.
The outlet reported that Irsay allegedly overdosed three times in the five years leading up to his death — once in February 2020 and two times in December 2023. During the former incident, Irsay was allegedly vacationing in Turks and Caicos when he had to get airlifted off the island to receive treatment.
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What was Irsay’s connection to Harry Haroutunian?
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Jim Irsay looks on during a Ring of Honor ceremony during halftime of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In order to treat his ongoing addiction, Irsay allegedly began receiving ketamine injections from private addiction specialist Dr. Haroutunian in his final months. However, Haroutunian also reportedly continued prescribing Irsay with opioids over the last two years of his life, despite Irsay’s past addiction, per the Post.
Haroutunian was also reportedly staying at the same hotel as Irsay at the time of his death. The Post further reported that Irsay signed off on Irsay’s death certificate and maintained that he died from natural causes, while also declining an official autopsy and toxicology report.
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Haroutunian maintained that Irsay’s death was the result of natural causes and that he treated him like “a brother.”
“I dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him … as a brother,” Haroutunian told the Post at the time. “We did everything we could to make him as comfortable as possible.”
Meanwhile, his daughters told PEOPLE in a statement they “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.”
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“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,” they said of the Post coverage.
Why is the FBI reportedly investigating Irsay’s death?
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Jim Irsay at Dallas Clark’s retirement announcement at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Months after Irsay’s May 2025 death, The Washington Post reported that the FBI was investigating his death. The organization is allegedly looking into Irsay’s connection with Haroutunian and the medical decisions made by the addiction doctor.
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As part of the investigation, the FBI is reportedly searching for records and information about Irsay’s history of substance abuse and his ties to Haroutunian, per a federal grand jury subpoena issued from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in early January 2026.
Colts Chief Legal Officer Dan Emerson responded to the news and told the Post that the Colts are aware of the FBI’s alleged investigation but haven’t been contacted.
“I do understand that there have been some subpoenas provided — but not to me, the Colts or any of our current employees,” he said.
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Haroutunian was unable to be reached for comment and a spokesperson at the FBI Los Angeles field office would not confirm or deny an investigation.
Read the original article on People