On the day of his death, Matthew Perry asked his assistant to inject him with a large dose of ketamine.
Perry died on October 28, 2023. At 8:30 that morning, Friends the star’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, injected him with the first dose of ketamine, according to a plea agreement Iwamasa entered into with the Justice Department.
At 12:45 Iwamasa injected Perry again while the actor was watching a movie in his home. According to the plea agreement, Perry asked for another dose 40 minutes after the second.
“Give me a big one,” Perry told his assistant and asked him to prepare his hot tub.
The third dose was administered while Perry was nearby or in his Jacuzzi, as arranged. Iwamasa then left home to do some work. When he returned, he found Perry dead, face down in the jacuzzi.
Iwamasa was one of five defendants charged by the Justice Department in connection with Perry’s death, which was the result of the “acute effects” of ketamine, according to his autopsy report.
Matthew Perry. Steve Mack/FilmMagic
Perry’s assistant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, after admitting he “repeatedly” injected the actor with the drug in the days leading up to his death.
Multiple people charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death, including doctors and his assistant
According to the plea agreement, Iwamasa injected Perry with six to eight doses of ketamine per day between October 24 and 27.
Also charged in the case are Jasveen Sangha — allegedly known as the “Ketamine Queen” according to prosecutors — and Dr. Salvador Plasencia. Both pleaded not guilty to several counts of the indictment. Both were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Sangha also faces one count of maintaining drug 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.
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Matthew Perry.
Matthew Eisman/Getty
Matthew Perry’s assistant ‘repeatedly’ injected Perry with ketamine, including on the day the actor died
The remaining two suspects have either pleaded guilty or are expected to plead guilty, prosecutors said. Erik Fleming, an associate of Perry’s, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. dr. Mark Chavez will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, the Justice Department said.
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U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said during a news conference announcing the charges that Perry relapsed into his addiction shortly before his death.
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction problems to enrich themselves,” Estrada said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP
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Source: HIS Education