Current:Home > MyMatthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death-LoTradeCoin
Matthew Perry Couldn't Speak or Move Due to Ketamine Episode Days Before Death
View Date:2024-12-23 20:26:46
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! (923)
Related
- Cruel Intentions' Brooke Lena Johnson Teases the Biggest Differences Between the Show and the 1999 Film
- When does Spotify Wrapped stop tracking for 2024? Streamer dismisses false rumor
- Kirk Herbstreit's dog, Ben, dies: Tributes for college football analyst's beloved friend
- Chris Evans’ Rugged New Look Will Have You Assembling
- US overdose deaths are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline
- AI ProfitPulse, Ushering in a New Era of Blockchain and AI
- Questions about sexual orientation and gender ID on track to be on US Census Bureau survey by 2027
- Caroline Ellison begins 2-year sentence for her role in Bankman-Fried’s FTX fraud
- Tony Todd, star of 'Candyman,' 'Final Destination,' dies at 69
- Interpreting the Investment Wisdom and Business Journey of Damon Quisenberry
Ranking
- Detroit-area police win appeal over liability in death of woman in custody
- Nevada Democratic Rep. Dina Titus keeps her seat in the US House
- Florida awards Billy Napier a flimsy vote of confidence, as Gators crumble under his watch
- Horoscopes Today, November 6, 2024
- When do new episodes of 'Cobra Kai' Season 6 come out? Release date, cast, where to watch
- Olympic Australian Breakdancer Raygun Announces Retirement After “Upsetting” Criticism
- Certain absentee ballots in one Georgia county will be counted if they’re received late
- From Innovation to Ascendancy: Roland Quisenberry and WH Alliance Propel the Future of Finance
Recommendation
-
Roy Haynes, Grammy-winning jazz drummer, dies at 99: Reports
-
Target’s Early Black Friday Deals Have Arrived: Save Up to 50% off Ninja, Beats, Apple & Christmas Decor
-
Lock in a mortgage rate after the Fed cuts? This might be your last chance
-
The surprising way I’m surviving election day? Puppies. Lots of puppies.
-
American arrested in death of another American at luxury hotel in Ireland
-
Man who used legal loophole to live rent-free for years in NYC hotel found unfit to stand trial
-
How Outer Banks Cast Reacted to Season 4 Finale’s Shocking Ending
-
Menendez Brothers 'Dateline' special to feature never-aired clip from 2017 interview