In a gripping turn of events, new court documents have shed light on the tragic final hours of beloved “Friends” star Matthew Perry. Five individuals have now been charged in connection with Perry’s untimely death, attributed to the acute effects of ketamine.
Perry’s last request
According to court documents obtained by NBC News, Perry’s last words to his longtime assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, were chillingly clear: “Shoot me up with a big one.”
On the night of his death, Iwamasa—who has since pled guilty to multiple ketamine distribution charges—administered the fatal dose. Notably, Iwamasa lacked any formal medical training, rendering his actions even more alarming.
The investigation revealed that Perry had been connected to the drug through a doctor named Salvador Plasencia and a notorious figure in the ketamine distribution world, Jasveen Sangha, also known as the “Ketamine Queen.” Perry was reportedly receiving six to eight shots of ketamine daily in the month leading up to his death on October 28, 2023.
Desperate measures in final hours
Court documents further revealed that Perry had requested three shots of ketamine within a span of just six hours on the day of his death. After the third injection, Iwamasa left to run errands, only to return and find Perry face down in the heated end of his pool. Iwamasa admitted to authorities that he had administered a staggering 27 shots of ketamine to Perry in the five days leading up to his death.
The investigation into Perry’s death also exposed his relapse into addiction, a battle he had been open about for years. Authorities unveiled a “broad, underground criminal network” during the probe, adding layers of complexity to the case.
Legal repercussions
The individuals charged in connection with Perry’s death include Iwamasa, Plasencia, Sangha, another doctor named Mark Chavez, and a dealer named Erik Fleming. The charges encompass conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine resulting in death, maintaining drug-involved premises, and falsifying records, among others.
Courtroom drama
While Fleming, Iwamasa, and Chavez have accepted plea deals, Sangha—dubbed the “Ketamine Queen”—has pled not guilty. Her trial is scheduled to commence on October 8, promising further revelations.
This heartbreaking saga of addiction, legal violations, and the tragic loss of a beloved actor continues to unfold, leaving fans and the public grappling with the stark realities behind Perry’s untimely demise.