Current:Home > MyMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -ProfitQuest Academy
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-14 16:54:10
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! (2617)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Why We're All Just a Bit Envious of Serena Williams' Marriage to Alexis Ohanian
- Pregnant Margot Robbie and Husband Tom Ackerley Pack on the PDA at Wimbledon 2024
- NBA Summer League highlights: How Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Sheppard did
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Angry birds have been swarming drones looking for sharks and struggling swimmers off NYC beaches
- Evictions surge in Phoenix as rent increases prompt housing crisis
- Meta AI comment summaries is turned on in your settings by default: How to turn it off
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- 10 billion passwords have been leaked on a hacker site. Are you at risk?
Ranking
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- California fire officials report first wildfire death of the 2024 season
- Heavy rains leave at least 200 crocodiles crawling around cities in Mexico near Texas, increasing risk for the population
- Pecans are a good snack, ingredient – but not great for this
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Chicago exhibition center modifying windows to prevent bird strikes after massive kill last year
- Federal prosecutors seek 14-month imprisonment for former Alabama lawmaker
- Meet Kylie Cantrall, the teen TikTok star ruling Disney's 'Descendants'
Recommendation
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Kysre Gondrezick, Jaylen Brown appear to confirm relationship on ESPY red carpet
US Forest Service pilot hikes to safety after helicopter crash near central Idaho wildfire
Unlock Olivia Culpo's Summer Glow with This $3.99 Highlighter and More Budget-Friendly Beauty Gems
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Moms swoon over new 'toddler Stanleys.' But the cups have been around for years.
Historically Black Cancer Alley town splits over a planned grain terminal in Louisiana
Archaeologists unearth 4,000-year-old temple and theater in Peru