Matthew Perry, the acclaimed star of Friends, tragically passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. The circumstances surrounding his death have taken a shocking turn with newly uncovered court documents, revealing disturbing details about the actor’s final moments and his battle with ketamine addiction.
According to documents obtained by NBC News, Perry’s final hours were marked by his dependence on ketamine, a drug he had reportedly used to manage depression.
The court papers detail a series of troubling events that unfolded on the day of his death. Perry allegedly requested his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, to administer ketamine to him three times throughout the day.
The documents disclose that Perry’s first dose was administered at 8:30 a.m. on October 28. Later in the day, around 12:30 p.m., Perry received a second dose while watching a movie at his $5.2 million Los Angeles residence.
Perry’s dependence on the drug was further highlighted by his request for a third dose and his instructions to prepare his jacuzzi.
After fulfilling these requests, Iwamasa left the home to run errands. Upon his return, he discovered Perry unresponsive in the hot tub.
Perry’s use of ketamine had been a known part of his struggle with substance abuse. The drug, typically used to detach patients from pain during medical procedures, had been misused by Perry in the month leading up to his death.
Court documents reveal that Iwamasa had been administering ketamine to Perry for approximately a month prior to the actor’s death, a practice that had seemingly escalated despite Perry’s previous attempts to manage his addiction.
The situation grew more complex with the involvement of medical professionals. Prosecutors have alleged that Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, provided ketamine to Perry and trained Iwamasa in its administration.
This occurred after Plasencia met Perry in late September 2023. Plasencia, along with Erik Fleming, faced charges for supplying Perry with the drug.
The investigation further reveals that Plasencia conspired with Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, to provide Perry with additional ketamine and exploit him financially.
Texts between Plasencia and Chavez indicate a disturbing disregard for Perry’s well-being. One message from Plasencia to Chavez read, “I wonder how much this moron will pay,” highlighting the financial exploitation alleged by the prosecution.
In the weeks preceding his death, Perry is reported to have paid the duo $55,000 in cash for ketamine.
Plasencia’s actions were reportedly marked by a troubling observation of Perry’s deteriorating condition, describing him as “spiralling out of control with his addiction” and witnessing his body “freeze up and his blood pressure spike” after administering ketamine.
Perry’s memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir, openly addressed his struggles with substance abuse and ketamine.
The memoir provided a candid look into his battles, but the revelations from the court documents offer a more detailed and disturbing picture of his final days.
Perry’s openness about his addiction and mental health issues highlighted the severity of his struggles and the need for more comprehensive support and intervention.
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The legal and personal fallout from Perry’s death is ongoing, with his passing prompting a closer examination of the responsibilities and actions of those involved in his care.
The case against Iwamasa, Plasencia, and others is a stark reminder of the complex interplay between addiction, exploitation, and the need for vigilant and compassionate support systems.
As the investigation continues, the public and Perry’s fans are left to grapple with the shocking details of his final moments.
The focus now shifts to understanding how these events unfolded and what can be learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The legacy of Matthew Perry, marked by his iconic role on Friends and his candid discussions about his personal struggles, continues to resonate, underscoring the importance of addressing addiction and mental health with empathy and urgency.
