Current:Home > StocksMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -EliteFunds
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:23:06
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! (4373)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Vermont man evacuates neighbors during flooding, weeks after witnessing a driver get swept away
- 'Crying for their parents': More than 900 children died at Indian boarding schools, U.S. report finds
- Democrats look to longtime state Sen. Cleo Fields to flip Louisiana congressional seat blue
- 'Stranger Things' prequel 'The First Shadow' is headed to Broadway
- 'Tortillas save lives': Watch Texas family save orphaned baby bird named Taquito
- 20 Best Amazon Dresses Under $40 That Shoppers Are Raving About
- An all-electric police fleet? California city replaces all gas-powered police cars.
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- One Extraordinary Olympic Photo: David J. Phillip captures swimming from the bottom of the pool
Ranking
- How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
- Snoop Dogg's winning NBC Olympics commentary is pure gold
- Man shot and killed in ambush outside Philadelphia mosque, police say
- USWNT vs. Australia live updates: USA lineup at Olympics, how to watch
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- NYC’s latest crackdown on illegal weed shops is finally shutting them down
- Another Chinese Olympic doping scandal hurts swimmers who play by the rules
- Jamaica's Shericka Jackson withdrawing from 100 meter at Paris Olympics
Recommendation
British golfer Charley Hull blames injury, not lack of cigarettes, for poor Olympic start
Cierra Burdick brings Lady Vols back to Olympic Games, but this time in 3x3 basketball
Delaney Schnell, Jess Parratto fail to add medals while Chinese diving stars shine
With the funeral behind them, family of the firefighter killed at the Trump rally begins grieving
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
Missouri to cut income tax rate in 2025, marking fourth straight year of reductions
El Chapo’s son pleads not guilty to narcotics, money laundering and firearms charges
Man shot and killed in ambush outside Philadelphia mosque, police say