Current:Home > reviewsMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -MoneyTrend
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-12 19:31:56
Authorities are releasing more details into Matthew Perry's final days after five people were charged in connection to his death.
The Friends alum was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28, with his cause of death later determined to be "acute effects of ketamine" in drug and drowning-related accident.
However, it wasn’t the first time he experienced negative effects of the dissociative anesthetic. Perry had an "adverse medical reaction" to an at-home ketamine injection on Oct. 12, just 16 days before his death, prosecutors said in unsealed Department of Justice documents reviewed by E! News Aug. 16.
Prosecutors alleged defendant Dr. Salvador Plasencia injected the 54-year-old with "a large dose" of the controlled substance at request of the Perry's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who has also been charged in the case, after the actor had already undergone ketamine infusion therapy from a doctor's office.
The DOJ said the at-home ketamine caused a "significant spike" to Perry's systolic blood pressure, making him "freeze up" so much that he "could not speak or move."
Prosecutors alleged that Plasencia told Iwamasa "something to the effect of: 'let’s not do that again'" following Perry's reaction to the additional dosage, though the assistant continued to purchase ketamine for at-home use in the following days.
Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, per authorities.
Meanwhile, Plasencia is facing one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation. He has not publicly entered a plea.
In Iwamasa's plea agreement obtained by E! News Aug. 16, prosecutors alleged the 59-year-old injected Perry with ketamine obtained through unofficial channels around 8:30 a.m. on the day of his death. They accused Iwamasa of giving Perry two more doses in the span of six hours, before leaving him to run errands.
Iwamasa returned home to find Perry face down in the hot tub, per the filing.
In connection to Perry's death, Jasveen Sangha—a North Hollywood woman who authorities call “The Ketamine Queen"—has also been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
Per the DOJ, Erik Fleming—an individual who authorities allege sold ketamine to Iwamasa—and Dr. Mark Chavez—a San Diego-based physician who allegedly sold the drug to Plasencia—have both pleaded guilty to charges relating to Perry's death.
"We allege each of the defendants played a key role in his death by falsely prescribing, selling, or injecting the ketamine that caused Matthew Perry’s tragic death," Anne Milgram of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said in an Aug. 15 statement. “Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (81745)
Related
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Kansas City Chiefs to sign punter Matt Araiza, who was released by Buffalo Bills in 2022
- Allow Angelina Jolie's Blonde Hair Transformation to Inspire Your Next Salon Visit
- Atlanta is the only place in US to see pandas for now. But dozens of spots abroad have them
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Teen charged in fatal shooting of Detroit-area man who sought to expose sexual predators
- Don Henley's attempt to reclaim stolen Eagles lyrics to Hotel California was thwarted by defendants, prosecutors say
- Wendy Williams' guardian files lawsuit against Lifetime's parent company ahead of documentary
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- The Daily Money: Jeff Bezos unloads more Amazon stock
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Georgia board upholds firing of teacher for reading a book to students about gender identity
- Clues to a better understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome emerge from major study
- Missing Texas girl Audrii Cunningham found dead: What to know about missing children cases
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Kitty Black Perkins, who designed the first Black Barbie, reflects on her legacy
- Love Is Blind Season 6 Reunion Date Revealed
- U.S. Navy petty officer based in Japan charged with espionage
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Katy Perry, Travis Kelce catch Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Sydney
Clues to a better understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome emerge from major study
Hybrid workers: How's the office these days? We want to hear from you
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Universal Studios Theme Park Style Guide: 22Things That Will Make You Look Stylish & Cool at the Parks
Massive fireball lights up night sky across large swath of U.S.
NBC replacing Jac Collinsworth as Notre Dame football play-by-play voice, per report