Current:Home > ScamsMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -Keystone Capital Education
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-17 18:48:13
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
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Sex Lives of College Girls’ Pauline Chalamet Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby
- Biden struggles early in presidential debate with hoarse voice
- 25-year-old Oakland firefighter drowns at San Diego beach
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft
- Diamond Shruumz products recalled due to toxin that has stricken 39 people in 20 states
- Ten Commandments. Multiple variations. Why the Louisiana law raises preferential treatment concerns
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- CDK cyberattack outage could lead to 100,000 fewer cars sold in June, experts say
Ranking
- Sam Taylor
- Video shows a meteotsunami slamming Lake Michigan amid days of severe weather. Here's what to know.
- Mount Everest's melting ice reveals bodies of climbers lost in the death zone
- Number of homeless residents in Los Angeles County decreases in annual count
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- NHL draft tracker: scouting reports on Macklin Celebrini, other first-round picks
- Some cities facing homelessness crisis applaud Supreme Court decision, while others push back
- Biden says he doesn't debate as well as he used to but knows how to tell the truth
Recommendation
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
Jewell Loyd scores a season-high 34 points as Storm cool off Caitlin Clark and Fever 89-77
Sheriff says man kills himself after killing 3 people outside home near Atlanta
Lightning strike near hikers from Utah church youth group sends 7 to hospital
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
How charges against 2 Uvalde school police officers are still leaving some families frustrated
Argentina receives good news about Lionel Messi's Copa América injury, report says
'American Ninja Warrior' winner Drew Drechsel sentenced to 10 years for child sex crimes