Current:Home > MyMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -FundPrime
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-10 07:54:44
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! (31699)
Related
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Don’t Miss Gap Outlet’s Extra 60% off Clearance Sale – Score a $59 Dress for $16, $5 Tanks & More
- Martha Stewart Is Releasing Her 100th Cookbook: Here’s How You Can Get a Signed Copy
- Not-so-great expectations: Students are reading fewer books in English class
- 'Most Whopper
- An 8-Year-Old Stole Her Mom's Car for a Joyride to Target—Then Won Over the Internet
- Kiehl's Secret Sale: The Insider Trick to Getting 30% Off Skincare Staples
- Cult leaders convicted of forcing children to work 16-hour days without pay
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- North Carolina braces for more after 'historic' rainfall wreaks havoc across state
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- 6-year-old Virginia student brings loaded gun to school, sheriff's office investigating
- Cardi B Defends Decision to Work Out Again One Week After Welcoming Baby No. 3
- Tennessee increases 2025 football ticket prices to help pay players
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Tate Ratledge injury update: Georgia OL reportedly expected to be out several weeks
- Donald Trump to attend Alabama vs. Georgia college football game in late September
- 'Unimaginably painful': Ballerina Michaela DePrince, who died 1 day before mom, remembered
Recommendation
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
Mother of Colorado supermarket gunman says he is ‘sick’ and denies knowing about plan
'That was a big one!' Watch Skittles the parrot perform unusual talent: Using a human toilet
Footage for Simone Biles' Netflix doc could be smoking gun in Jordan Chiles' medal appeal
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Emmy Awards ratings up more than 50 percent, reversing record lows
Don’t Miss Gap Outlet’s Extra 60% off Clearance Sale – Score a $59 Dress for $16, $5 Tanks & More
'Jackass' star Steve-O says he scrapped breast implants prank after chat with trans stranger