Current:Home > ContactMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -ProfitSphere Academy
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:51:35
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! (38286)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Olive oil in coffee? Oleato beverages launching in Starbucks stores across US
- Launching today: Reporter Kristen Dahlgren's Pink Eraser Project seeks to end breast cancer as we know it
- Woman, 71, tried to murder her husband after he got a postcard from decades-old flame: Police
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Stolen phone? New theft protection security feature in Ios 17.3 update is here to help
- Democratic field set for special election that could determine control of Michigan House
- Eminem retracts threat of diss track directed toward Lions OC Ben Johnson
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- US worker paycheck growth slowed late last year, pointing to cooling in a very strong job market
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Fulton County says cyberattack did not impact Trump election interference case
- Student, dad arrested after San Diego school shooting threat; grenades, guns found in home
- Tennessee, Virginia AGs suing NCAA over NIL-related recruiting rules with Vols under investigation
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Wray warns Chinese hackers are aiming to 'wreak havoc' on U.S. critical infrastructure
- 'Redemption': Wedding photographer's free portraits for addicts put face on recovery
- Could Aldi be opening near Las Vegas? Proposal shows plans for Nevada's first location.
Recommendation
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
85-year-old Indianapolis man dies after dogs attack him
Man accused of destroying Satanic Temple display at Iowa Capitol is now charged with hate crime
First human to receive Neuralink brain implant is 'recovering well,' Elon Musk says
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Massachusetts state troopers among 6 charged in commercial driver's license bribery scheme
How to transform a war economy for peacetime
Democratic field set for special election that could determine control of Michigan House