Fatal Ketamine Administration Leads to Charges in Actor's Death
- Matthew Perry's former assistant found him unconscious multiple times before his death.
- The assistant disclosed this information as part of a plea deal.
- The incidents occurred in the weeks leading up to Perry's death.
In a tragic incident on October 28, actor Perry died after receiving a fatal dose of ketamine from Iwamasa, who has since pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute the drug causing death. Iwamasa admitted to injecting Perry twice on the day of his death, with the final injection occurring shortly before the actor requested a larger dose while preparing to use his jacuzzi. After administering the third shot, Iwamasa left, only to return hours later to find Perry unresponsive. Authorities have charged Iwamasa along with several others, including Erik Fleming, Dr. Mark Chavez, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, and Jasveen Sangha, in connection with Perry's death. Prosecutors allege that Plasencia provided Perry with both liquid ketamine and lozenges, and instructed Iwamasa on how to administer the drug. Text messages revealed Plasencia's intent to profit from Perry's addiction, raising serious ethical concerns about the medical professionals involved. Fleming, who acted as a middleman between Perry and an unnamed drug dealer, has also pled guilty to conspiracy and distribution charges related to ketamine. Court documents indicate that Perry paid approximately $55,000 for the drug, highlighting the extent of his struggles with addiction. Meanwhile, Plasencia has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy and falsifying records, facing potential sentences of up to 20 years for each count of records falsification. The case underscores the dangers of substance abuse and the responsibilities of medical professionals in safeguarding their patients' health.