Current:Home > ScamsMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -WealthFocus Academy
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-18 06:03:13
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! (8)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Kirby Smart again addresses Georgia football players driving arrests at SEC media days
- Man who filmed deadly torture gets 226 years in prison for killings of 2 Alaska women: In my movies, everybody always dies
- Take a dip in dirty water? Here's how to tell if it's safe to swim
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- A wind turbine is damaged off Nantucket Island. Searchers are combing beaches for debris
- Carbon monoxide leak at Fulton County jail sends 1 worker to the hospital; requires treatment for 5
- 2024 RNC Day 1 fact check of the Republican National Convention
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Hybrid work still has some kinks to work out | The Excerpt
Ranking
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Why Ingrid Andress' National Anthem Performance Is Sparking Debate
- Shop Amazon Prime Day's Back to School Deals: Classroom & Dorm Essentials for Every College Student
- Real Salt Lake's Cristian 'Chicho' Arango suspended four games
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- 75-year-old man missing for 4 days found alive by K-9 in Maine bog
- Kirby Smart again addresses Georgia football players driving arrests at SEC media days
- Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon men's final to win fourth Grand Slam title
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
What to watch as the Republican National Convention enters its second day in Milwaukee
Paris Hilton Shares Mom Hacks, Cookware Essentials, and Amazon Prime Day 2024 Deals You Can't Miss
Thousands of Philadelphia city workers are back in the office full time after judge rejects lawsuit
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
Biden administration says it wants to cap rent increases at 5% a year. Here's what to know.
'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' reveals daughter Tali as production begins in Hungary
Gareth Southgate resigns as England manager after Euro 2024 final loss