Current:Home > reviewsMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death -Prime Capital Blueprint
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View
Date:2025-04-24 12:37:01
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! (287)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Love and Marriage: Huntsville Star KeKe Jabbar Dead at 42
- Beyoncé, Tina Knowles tap Victoria Monét for new Cécred hair care video
- Bear caught in industrial LA neighborhood, traveled 60 miles from Angeles National Forest
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- What happened in the Karen Read case? Timeline of key moments in John O'Keefe murder trial
- 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' to open Venice Film Festival
- Tucson man gets 16-month prison term for threatening a mass shooting at the University of Arizona
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- FTC says gig company Arise misled consumers about how much money they could make on its platform
Ranking
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- California Legislature likely to ask voters to borrow $20 billion for climate, schools
- Suki Waterhouse stars on British Vogue cover with her baby, talks ex Bradley Cooper
- Tempur Sealy's $4 billion purchase of Mattress Firm challenged by FTC
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- July 4th gas prices expected to hit lowest level in 3 years
- No fireworks July 4th? Why drones will dazzle the sky
- Judge dismisses federal lawsuit over West Virginia prison and jail conditions
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Georgia election workers who won $148M judgment against Giuliani want his bankruptcy case thrown out
New York Giants on 'Hard Knocks': Team doubles down on Daniel Jones over Saquon Barkley
Philadelphia radio host Howard Eskin suspended from Phillies home games over ‘unwelcome kiss’
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Eddie Murphy talks new 'Beverly Hills Cop' movie, Axel Foley's 'Everyman' charm
Biden to bestow Medal of Honor on two Civil War heroes who helped hijack a train in confederacy
A bridge near a Minnesota dam may collapse. Officials say they can do little to stop it