Current:Home > FinanceMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View Date:2025-01-11 10:24:46
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! (7231)
Related
- Sydney Sweeney Slams Women Empowerment in the Industry as Being Fake
- North Carolina farms were properly approved to collect energy from hog waste, court says
- Tuohy family claims Michael Oher of The Blind Side tried to extort $15 million from them
- College presidents face tough questions from Congress over antisemitism on campus
- Lost luggage? This new Apple feature will let you tell the airline exactly where it is.
- Which four Republicans will be on stage for the fourth presidential debate?
- Missouri’s next education department chief will be a Republican senator with roots in the classroom
- Chrysler recalls 142,000 Ram vehicles: Here's which models are affected
- John Krasinski Reveals Wife Emily Blunt's Hilarious Response to His Sexiest Man Alive Title
- James Cameron on Ridley Scott's genius, plant-based diets and reissuing 6 of his top films
Ranking
- Chris Wallace will leave CNN 3 years after defecting from 'Fox News Sunday'
- Harvard, MIT, Penn presidents defend actions in combatting antisemitism on campus
- A bedbug hoax is targeting foreign visitors in Athens. Now the Greek police have been called in
- Scientists say November is 6th straight month to set heat record; 2023 a cinch as hottest year
- Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
- 2 women die from shark bites in less than a week: How common are fatal shark attacks?
- Patrick Mahomes, Maxx Crosby among NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year 2023 nominees
- Judge again orders arrest of owner of former firearms training center in Vermont
Recommendation
-
McDonald's Version: New Bestie Bundle meals celebrate Swiftie friendship bracelets
-
US officials want ships to anchor farther from California undersea pipelines, citing 2021 oil spill
-
Treat Yo Elf: 60 Self-Care Gifts to Help You Get Through the Holidays & Beyond
-
Patrick Mahomes, Maxx Crosby among NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year 2023 nominees
-
Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
-
23andMe hack let threat actor access data for millions of customers, company says
-
Divers map 2-mile trail of scattered relics and treasure from legendary shipwreck Maravillas
-
New Orleans marsh fire blamed for highway crashes and foul smell is out after burning for weeks