Current:Home > MarketsMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -ProfitEdge
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:54:56
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! (3)
Related
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Residents unharmed after small plane crashes into Arizona home, hospitalizing pilot
- As summer winds down, dogs around the country make a splash: See pictures of doggy dip days
- Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Son Pax Shows Facial Scars in First Red Carpet Since Bike Accident
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Grief over Gaza, qualms over US election add up to anguish for many Palestinian Americans
- NFL Week 1 winners, losers: Lions get gritty in crunch time vs. Rams
- How the iPhone 16 is different from Apple’s recent releases
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Oregon police charge a neighbor of a nurse reported missing with murder
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- As summer winds down, dogs around the country make a splash: See pictures of doggy dip days
- House Republicans push to link government funding to a citizenship check for new voters
- Ram 1500s, Jeep Wranglers, Jeep Gladiators among 1.2 million vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- Trump's 'stop
- Tropical Storm Francine forms in Gulf, headed toward US landfall as a hurricane
- Selena Gomez Says She Can't Carry Her Own Children Amid Health Journey
- Ryan Blaney surges in NASCAR playoff standings, Kyle Larson takes a tumble after Atlanta
Recommendation
Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
Browns' pressing Deshaun Watson problem is only growing more glaring
Here's how to free up space on your iPhone: Watch video tutorial
Officer put on leave in incident with Tyreek Hill, who says he's unsure why he was detained
The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
Why The Bear Star Will Poulter's Fitness Transformation Has Everyone Saying Yes, Chef
The Bachelorette’s Jenn Tran Reunites With Jonathon Johnson After Devin Strader Breakup
Trial for 3 former Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ death set to begin