Doctor saw Matthew Perry ‘freeze up’ after giving him ketamine just days before his death, prosecutors say
It was confirmed on Thursday multiple arrests had been made in connection with Matthew Perry's death
Prosecutors are claiming Matthew Perry's doctor saw the Friends actor 'freeze up' a matter of days before his death.
Earlier this year, an investigation was opened after Perry was found dead in his hot tub last October.
Perry's cause of death was given as 'the acute effects of ketamine', with the investigation looking at how the drugs entered his system.
On Thursday (15 August), it was confirmed multiple arrests had been made in connection with Perry's death.
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Dr Salvador Plasencia has since been named as one of the individuals, who had a license to prescribe and administer drugs.
Plasencia allegedly asked a colleague 'I wonder how much this moron will pay', as Perry struggled to deal with his addiction.
The doctor accused of supplying the ketamine realized Perry's life was hanging by a thread as he suffered a seizure which caused him to 'freeze up' just 16 days before his death.
"On one occasion, he injected Mr. Perry with ketamine, and he saw Mr. Perry freeze up and his blood pressure spike," US Attorney Martin Estrada said during a press conference.
"Let's not do that again," Dr Plasencia allegedly told the actor's assistant.
The US Department of Justice confirmed on Thursday that their investigation revealed a 'broad underground criminal network' that 'took advantage' of the actor by selling him ketamine.
"This network included a live-in assistant, various go-betweens, two medical doctors, and a major source of drug supply known as 'The Ketamine Queen,'" shared US Attorney Martin Estrada.
"These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry. But they did it anyways.
"In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well being."
Alongside Plasencia, alleged drug trafficker Jasveen Sangha ,Dr Mark Chavez, Perry's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, and 'broker' Erik Fleming have all been named as defendants.
Chavez, Iwasama, and Fleming have pleaded guilty to charges so far.
As per the Guardian, Perry had been undergoing treatment for anxiety and depression which involved ketamine infusion therapy.
The actor had previously spoken openly about his addiction struggles in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing.
The police investigation into Perry's death continues.
Topics: Matthew Perry, Drugs, Film and TV, News
Callum Jones