Current:Home > MarketsMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View Date:2024-12-24 01:41:17
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! (72)
Related
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Shares Reaction to BFF Teddi Mellencamp's Divorce
- Larry David addresses controversial FTX 2022 Super Bowl commercial: Like an idiot, I did it
- Pearl Jam throws a listening party for their new album that Eddie Vedder calls ‘our best work’
- Taylor Swift and the Grammys: Singer could make history this weekend
- 4 arrested in California car insurance scam: 'Clearly a human in a bear suit'
- Margot Robbie breaks silence on best actress Oscar snub: There's no way to feel sad when you know you're this blessed
- South Dakota man charged in 2013 death of girlfriend takes plea offer, avoiding murder charge
- Amelia Earhart's plane may have been found. Why are we obsessed with unsolved mysteries?
- Celtics' Jaylen Brown calls Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo a 'child' over fake handshake
- Charges, counter charges as divorce between Miami Dolphins, Vic Fangio turns messy
Ranking
- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had mild stroke this month, team says
- Lawmaker resigns shortly before Arizona House was to vote on expelling her
- Texas jury recommends the death penalty for man convicted of the fatal shooting of a state trooper
- FDA warns of contaminated copycat eye drops
- Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
- Kentucky House committee passes bill requiring moment of silence in schools
- How mapping 'heat islands' can help cities prepare for extreme heat
- Man fleeing police caused crash that injured Gayle Manchin, authorities say
Recommendation
-
Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
-
Kentucky spending plan calling for more state funding of student transportation advances
-
Republican lawsuits challenge mail ballot deadlines. Could they upend voting across the country?
-
John Podesta named senior Biden climate adviser as John Kerry steps down as climate envoy
-
Why Suits' Gabriel Macht Needed Time Away From Harvey Specter After Finale
-
Barcelona edges Osasuna in 1st game since coach Xavi announced decision to leave. Atletico also wins
-
Japanese flight controllers re-establish contact with tipped-over SLIM moon lander
-
Fani Willis and top prosecutor Nathan Wade subpoenaed to testify at hearing about relationship allegations