Current:Home > ContactMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -Thrive Financial Network
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-18 20:14:23
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! (1)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- US consumer watchdog finds that school lunch fees are taking a toll on parents
- Fantasy football defense/special teams rankings for Week 2: Beware the Cowboys
- Adopted. Abused. Abandoned. How a Michigan boy's parents left him in Jamaica
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Pregnant Margot Robbie’s Pal Shares How She’ll Be as a Mom
- Hawaii voters asked to ensure protection of same-sex marriage
- Hoping to win $800M from the Mega Millions? Here's exactly how to purchase a ticket.
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- In Nevada, Clean Energy Divides the Senate Race
Ranking
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- 'Emily in Paris' Season 4 Part 2: Release date, cast, where to watch Emily's European holiday
- 'Don't need luck': NIU mantra sparks Notre Dame upset that even New York Yankees manager noticed
- Ohio is sending troopers and $2.5 million to city inundated with Haitian migrants
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Donald Trump Speaks Out on Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes
- Get 2 Benefit Porefessional Primers for the Price of 1: Blur Pores and Create a Photo-Filter Effect
- Hawaii voters asked to ensure protection of same-sex marriage
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Caitlin Clark returns to action Wednesday: How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces
2 transgender New Hampshire girls can play on girls sports teams during lawsuit, a judge rules
Extreme heat takes a toll on animals and plants. What their keepers do to protect them
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Election in Georgia’s Fulton County to be observed by independent monitor
Why Raygun is now the top-ranked women's breakdancer in the world
Anxiety high as school resumes for some in Georgia district where fatal shooting occurred