Nearly two years ago, the entertainment world was shaken by the untimely passing of Matthew Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom "Friends". Recent developments have brought to light the circumstances surrounding his death, revealing a complex web of addiction and illegal drug supply.
Matthew Perry's struggle with ketamine addiction has been unveiled through unsealed federal court documents and a medical examiner's investigation. The actor, who had been open about his battles with substance abuse in his 2022 memoir "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing", had been receiving ketamine treatments for depression. This off-label use of ketamine has gained traction in recent years, with the FDA approving a nasal spray form for treatment-resistant depression in 2019.
The timeline of events leading to Perry's death on October 28, 2023, paints a troubling picture. Beginning in late September 2023, the actor sought increasing amounts of ketamine beyond his legal treatments. His personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, played a significant role in obtaining and administering the drug.
"I wonder how much this moron will pay"
This callous exchange between two medical professionals involved in supplying ketamine to Perry underscores the ethical breaches that occurred. The investigation has led to the arrest of five individuals, including Iwamasa, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, and Erik Fleming, who have all entered guilty pleas to various charges related to ketamine distribution.
The final month of Perry's life saw a rapid escalation in his ketamine use. From September 30 to October 27, 2023, he received multiple injections, often administered by his assistant. The actor's desperation for the drug led to the involvement of additional suppliers, including Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen".
On his final day, October 28, 2023, Perry received three ketamine injections before being found unresponsive in his jacuzzi. The coroner's report identified ketamine as the primary cause of death, with drowning as a secondary factor.
This tragic end came despite Perry's efforts to manage his depression through legal means. He had received his last authorized ketamine treatment around October 20, 2023, with his doctor believing he was doing well and no longer required frequent treatments.
The case has shed light on the dangers of ketamine abuse and the illegal supply chains that fuel addiction. As the legal proceedings continue, with Plasencia and Sangha pleading not guilty to multiple felony counts, the entertainment industry and fans alike are left to grapple with the loss of a talented actor whose struggles with addiction ultimately led to his demise.