Current:Home > reviewsMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -Elevate Capital Network
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-14 22:17:04
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
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Japan's flagship H3 rocket successfully reaches orbit after failed debut launch
- Alabama court rules frozen embryos are children, chilling IVF advocates
- Squishmallows and Build-A-Bear enter legal battle over 'copycat' plush toys: What to know
- Video shows dog chewing cellphone battery pack, igniting fire in Oklahoma home
- White House criticizes House Republicans for inaction on Ukraine aid
- Many small business owners see 2024 as a ‘make or break’ year, survey shows
- Shohei Ohtani hits home run in first live spring training batting practice with Dodgers
- Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Daughter Ava Hunt Hospitalized After Falling Down a Mountain
- Kentucky, Connecticut headline winners and losers from men's college basketball weekend
Ranking
- Former Milwaukee hotel workers charged with murder after video shows them holding down Black man
- As St. John's struggles in rebuild effort, Rick Pitino's frustration reaches new high
- Adult and four kids die in Missouri house fire that police deem ‘suspicious’
- The Atlanta airport angel who wouldn't take no for an answer
- NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
- Giants' top exec jokes that relentless self-promotion helped fuel Pablo Sandoval's return
- She disappeared leaving to catch the school bus. What to know about this missing Texas girl:
- Can kidney dialysis be done at home? We can make treatment more accessible, so why aren't we?
Recommendation
Jury selection set for Monday for ex-politician accused of killing Las Vegas investigative reporter
Iowa's Caitlin Clark sets sights on Pete Maravich with next game vs. Indiana
IndyCar announces start times, TV networks for 2024 season
Air Canada chatbot costs airline discount it wrongly offered customer
Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
Los Angeles Angels 3B Anthony Rendon: '[Baseball]'s never been a top priority for me.'
1 killed, 5 wounded in shooting at Waffle House in Indianapolis, police say
Brooklyn Nets fire coach Jacque Vaughn