Five individuals have been taken into custody and are linked to the demise of actor Matthew Perry, with authorities also looking into multiple doctors and Perry’s assistant for possible involvement in drug-related charges.
On October 28, 2023, at the age of 54, beloved Friends actor Matthew Perry passed away. After his passing, tributes poured in from his family, admirers, and fellow co-stars from Friends, flooding social media.
In the coming months, numerous individuals including Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and others, voiced their opinions on the topic of Perry’s passing.
Despite being initially ruled as an accident, new information has surfaced that has transformed his death into an ongoing investigation, resulting in multiple individuals now facing charges.
Initial Death Report of Matthew Perry
Initially deemed an accident, Matthew Perry’s passing was reported by TMZ as occurring at an LA residence where he is believed to have drowned. Emergency responders were called for a reported cardiac arrest.
A post-mortem examination found that Perry had a significant amount of ketamine in his system, leading to the conclusion that the “acute effects”of the substance were responsible for his death.
Ketamine is commonly utilized in medicine to assist in treating depression, anxiety, and pain. Those close to Perry disclosed that the actor was receiving ketamine infusion therapy, therefore, ruling out any possible foul play as the initial cause.
Matthew Perry’s Struggles with Substance Abuse Explained
Matthew Perry found fame through the role of Chandler Bing in Friends.
Throughout his life, Matthew Perry was known for his honesty and openness when discussing his struggles with addiction and substance abuse. In his 2022 book, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir” , Perry primarily delved into his battles with alcohol and drug use during his time on the popular sitcom Friends and his early years.
During the peak of Friends’ popularity, Perry disclosed in his Memoir that he was struggling with a serious alcohol and Opioid addiction. After a jet ski accident in 1997, he was given Vicodin for pain relief but his reliance on the medication became detrimental. It was reported that he was consuming up to 55 pills daily and had dropped to a weight of 128 pounds.
Perry had previously disclosed that he was unable to watch Friends because it brought back memories of his battle with addiction. He also acknowledged that he has little recollection of filming seasons 3 to 6 of the show because of his substance abuse issues.
Developments have recently surfaced in relation to Perry’s death, resulting in five individuals who were close to the actor, including his assistant, being arrested and investigated for drug offenses.
Five Arrests Made in Connection with Matthew Perry’s Death
In May 2024, authorities launched an investigation into the death of Perry after uncovering a vast underground criminal ring of Ketamine distributors and suppliers operating in Los Angeles.
On August 15, US Attorney Martin Estrada gave an update on the investigation, stating that the deaths of two doctors, Perry’s assistant, and two other individuals had led to the arrest of the actor.
Arrests have been made in the death of Matthew PerryFederal charges against multiple suspects will be brought by the DA via ABC pic.twitter.com/EnwP69hH7U
— dexerto (@dexerto) August 15, 2024
According to Estrada, the defendants exploited Mr Perry’s addiction problems for their own financial gain. Despite knowing the potential harm it could cause him, they proceeded with their actions without hesitation.
The justice department also verified that three of the accused, including Perry’s assistant, had previously admitted to drug-related offenses.
In addition, two additional individuals, a doctor and a woman referred to as ‘The Ketamine Queen’, have been apprehended and are currently being detained for additional questioning and investigation.
After conducting a thorough examination, medical professionals concluded that the levels of ketamine found in Perry’s system were not solely due to the infusion therapy he was receiving. They observed that the amount of ketamine present was equivalent to the dosage administered to patients undergoing general anesthesia.
According to prosecutors, an indictment was filed in federal court detailing how a drug purchasing scheme ultimately resulted in Perry’s death.
According to the indictment, it was also alleged that Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, collaborated with two doctors to supply the actor with ketamine valuing more than $50,000 in the weeks leading up to his death.
“It is alleged that Salvador Plasencia, one of the doctors involved, wrote in a text message, “I wonder how much this m*r*n will pay.”
We will make sure to update this article as more details become available.
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