Current:Home > FinanceMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -AlphaFinance Experts
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
Rekubit View
Date:2025-04-11 01:31:29
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! (48648)
Related
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- Erik Menendez and Lyle Menendez Tell Their Side of the Story in Netflix Documentary Trailer
- Divers search Michigan river after missing janitor’s body parts are found in water
- Florida officials pressure schools to roll back sex ed lessons on contraception and consent
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Florida officials pressure schools to roll back sex ed lessons on contraception and consent
- Inside Octomom Nadya Suleman's Family World as a Mom of 14 Kids
- Analysis: Verstappen shows his petty side when FIA foolishly punishes him for cursing
- USA men's volleyball mourns chance at gold after losing 5-set thriller, will go for bronze
- Kentucky judge allegedly killed by sheriff remembered for public service as residents seek answers
Ranking
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ready to campaign for Harris-Walz after losing out for spot on the ticket
- Runaway cockatiel missing for days found in unlikely haven: A humane society CEO's backyard
- Dancing With the Stars' Sasha Farber Raises Eyebrows With Flirty Comment to Jenn Tran
- Llewellyn Langston: A Financial Innovator in the AI Era, Leading Global Smart Investing
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Review: Zachary Quinto medical drama 'Brilliant Minds' is just mind-numbing
- Where's Travis Kelce? Chiefs star's disappearing act isn't what it seems
- 'Still suffering': Residents in Florida's new hurricane alley brace for Helene impact
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Man pleads guilty to Michigan killing that stoked anti-immigrant campaign rhetoric
See Christina Hall's Lavish Birthday Gift for Daughter Taylor's 14th Birthday
'Trump Train' trial: Texas jury finds San Antonio man violated Klan Act; 5 defendants cleared
A steeplechase record at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Then a proposal. (He said yes.)
Boeing makes a ‘best and final offer’ to striking union workers
Southeast US under major storm warning as hurricane watch issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico
Texas death row inmate Travis Mullis, 'consumed by shame and madness,' killed baby son