Five charged in connection with death of Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry's chilling final words have come to light following the arrest of five individuals linked to his untimely demise.
The beloved Friends star's last days were marred by a battle with ketamine addiction. In a shocking turn, Perry was discovered deceased in the hot tub of his California residence in October 2023.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, Perry's death was an accidental result of acute ketamine effects. Recently unsealed court documents reveal a harrowing request made by Perry to his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, imploring him to "shoot me up with a big one" just before his passing.
Here's a breakdown of the actor's tragic final weeks:
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On September 30, Perry and his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, held a meeting at their Pacific Palisades home with Dr. Salvador Plasencia. Perry had been receiving off-label ketamine treatments for depression from his usual physician but sought a greater quantity than prescribed, as per Rolling Stone's acquired documents.
Plasencia reached out to a colleague in San Diego, Dr. Mark Chavez, who agreed to procure additional ketamine. "I wonder how much this moron will pay," Plasencia messaged Chavez.
Five individuals have been arrested after being linked to Matthew Perry's death at the end of 2023. (Image: Getty)
That same day, the two doctors met in Costa Mesa, a midpoint between Los Angeles and San Diego, where they exchanged no less than four vials of ketamine. Following the exchange, Plasencia returned to Perry's abode, where Iwamasa handed over $4,500 in cash for the vials.
Plasencia administered two ketamine injections to Perry and instructed Iwamasa on how to do the same. Following the experience, Plasencia texted Chavez, saying it "felt like a bad movie."
October 2
Iwamasa sent a message to Plasencia expressing his interest in purchasing not only injection sessions but also additional vials of ketamine, referring to it as "dr pepper" in their agreed-upon code. Plasencia arrived, gave Perry the injections, and left behind the anaesthetic vials.
Matthew Perry (Image: Getty )
October 4
For the first time, Iwamasa injected Perry himself. He messaged the doctor, stating he had discovered "the sweet spot" for injecting his boss.
However, experimenting with different injection sites on Perry had exhausted their supply, and they needed more. Iwamasa texted Plasencia, asking if he could continue supplying the drug so they could become Perry's "go-to."
October 6
Iwamasa informed Plasencia that their stock was dwindling and they required more. Plasencia visited Perry's residence and sold him one or more vials.
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October 8
During a late-night meeting at a Santa Monica shopping plaza, Plasencia sold Iwamasa four vials of ketamine for $6,000 in cash.
October 10
Iwamasa escorted Perry to a Long Beach public parking lot, where they met a doctor. This physician sold them additional ketamine and gave Perry an injection in the car.
That same day, Iwamasa looked for more of the substance, contacting Erik Fleming, who was an acquaintance of Perry.
October 11
Fleming informed Iwamasa he could get ketamine from a woman he knew. He promised: "It's unmarked but it's amazing - he take one and try it and I have more if he likes," in his message to Iwamasa.
This woman, Jasveen Sangha, had acquired the nickname "Ketamine Queen" among her clientele. Fleming assured Iwamasa that she only supplies "with high end and celebs. If it were not great stuff she'd lose her business."
Matthew Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa was one of the individuals arrested in connection with his death. (Image: LinkedIn)
October 12
Plasencia paid a visit to Perry's residence, receiving $21,000 in cash, a portion of this payment covered past ketamine deals. During his visit, Plasencia injected Perry, which resulted in the actor having a seizure and his blood pressure skyrocketing.
Perry's assistant shared that the doctor recommended: "Let's not do that again."
October 13
After trying out Sangha's ketamine, Perry decided to order 25 vials for $5,500. Fleming brought the vials over to Perry the very next day.
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Matthew Perry (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Around October 20
A woman, closely connected to Perry but whose identity remains concealed in official documents, told medical examiners that the actor had his final approved ketamine treatment with his regular doctor. She explained that while his previous doctor often provided treatments, his current one felt Perry was showing improvement, reducing the need for frequent sessions.
The woman expressed her belief to investigators that Perry had maintained his sobriety for 19 months without relapsing.
October 24
Perry had his last exchange with the unidentified woman, who later described him as seeming positive to officials.
October 25
Iwamasa requested an additional 25 vials of ketamine from Fleming after receiving $6,000 from Perry. Fleming acquired the ketamine from Sangha, who referred to their supplier as "Master Chef."
Iwamasa then administered at least six ketamine injections to Perry.
Acting Inspector in Charge of the US Postal Inspection Service's Los Angeles Division, Matthew Shields, during a press conference after the arrests. (Image: Getty)
October 26
Iwamasa gave Perry at least another six shots of ketamine.
October 27
Perry had reportedly received a minimum of six more ketamine injections, supplied by Fleming and Sangha. Perry and Iwamasa had been out of touch with Plasencia, their usual ketamine source, for roughly two weeks.
However, Plasencia messaged Iwamasa about having stocked up, saying: "I know you mentioned taking a break. I have been stocking up."
At around 8:30 am on the same day, following Perry's directions and using syringes from Plasencia along with ketamine from Sangha, Iwamasa gave Perry an injection.
Then, around 11 am, Perry was reportedly engaged in a game of pickleball, a detail that Iwamasa later relayed to the medical examiner's investigators. Yet, his initial account showed inconsistencies when he later spoke with prosecutors.
Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," is facing 18 criminal charges related to Perry's overdose death. (Image: Instagram)
At approximately 12:45pm, Perry received his second ketamine injection of the day and began watching a movie.
Shortly before 1:30pm, Iwamasa administered what would be Perry's third and final ketamine dose of the day while the actor was in his hot tub. "Shoot me up with a big one," Perry is claimed to have said to Iwamasa, as the assistant later recounted.
After administering the shot, Iwamasa left to run errands.
By around 4pm, Iwamasa returned to discover Perry face down in the hot tub. He immediately jumped in, pulled Perry to the steps, and called 911.
Matthew Perry died from "the acute effects of ketamine" and was found in his jacuzzi. (Image: Getty)
When paramedics arrived, they pronounced Perry dead. The coroner's investigation concluded that ketamine was the primary cause of death, with drowning listed as a secondary factor.
Iwamasa has admitted guilt to conspiring to distribute Ketamine. Fleming has confessed to distributing ketamine resulting in death.
Both are now cooperating with prosecutors. Chavez has consented to a guilty plea for conspiracy to distribute the drug.
Plasencia and Sangha, who are central figures in the investigation, maintain their innocence against multiple felony charges. On Thursday, Plasencia's lawyer Stefan Sacks asserted that his client's actions were always in the best medical interest of Perry.
Sangha's attorney declined to comment. The legal representatives for the other three men did not respond to numerous requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Fleming and Iwamasa could be looking at a prison sentence ranging from 15 to 25 years. Chavez could face up to 10 years, Sangha could face a life sentence, and Plasencia faces up to 120 years behind bars.
