The Indianapolis Colts have confirmed they are aware of an ongoing Federal Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the death of former team owner Jim Irsay, who died in May 2025 at the age of 65. In a statement, the organization said it has not been contacted by the FBI and has not received any subpoenas related to the case.
The investigation came to light following reporting by The Washington Post, which revealed that a federal grand jury has issued subpoenas examining Irsay’s long-documented substance use and his relationship with California-based recovery physician Dr. Harry Haroutunian. The inquiry is reportedly focused on the nature of Irsay’s medical treatment prior to his death.
According to official records, Irsay’s death certificate listed cardiac arrest caused by pneumonia and underlying heart complications. An autopsy was not performed, a detail that has drawn public attention given the subsequent federal review. While no wrongdoing has been alleged against the Colts organization, the investigation has prompted renewed scrutiny of medical oversight for high-profile individuals struggling with addiction.
Irsay was candid throughout his life about his battles with substance abuse. In 2014, he was arrested on a DUI charge after police discovered large sums of cash and prescription medications in his vehicle. The incident resulted in a $500,000 fine and a six-game suspension imposed by the National Football League, but also marked a turning point in his public advocacy.
In 2020, the Irsay family launched the “Kicking The Stigma” initiative, aimed at addressing mental health and addiction awareness. Following his death, ownership of the Colts passed to his eldest daughter, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, with her sisters serving as co-owners.
The FBI has begun interviewing individuals close to Irsay, though officials have declined to comment further. As the investigation continues, it underscores broader national conversations about addiction treatment, medical ethics, and accountability—issues Irsay himself spent years trying to bring into the open.
