That Matthew Perry, who was especially loved by the general public through his character Chandler Bing in “Friends”, was found dead in the hot tub of his home in Los Angeles on October 28th, 2023, was news that caused shock and disbelief among his fans. Although the actor had problems with depression, and was treated for addiction for a long time, the first findings of the investigation did not show that the death occurred through violence, and it was officially treated as an “accident caused by the acute effects of ketamine”. This month the whole case took a new turn. Five people; Kenneth Iwamas, the actor’s personal assistant, doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, and dealers Erik Fleming and Jasveen Sangha have been charged with his death.
According to the United States (U.S.) prosecutors, it is a “wide underground criminal network” that made it possible to obtain a lethal dose of ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, which led to Perry’s death. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said they knowingly risked Perry’s life despite his history of addiction. The prosecution alleges that doctors prescribed dangerously high doses of ketamine, knowing it could be fatal.
Perry died last October of an overdose of ketamine, injected by his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. Although the actor, after being injected with the medicine, began to freeze and his blood pressure rose, he was left with a few more vials to inject later.
Perry’s regular doctors, who have not been charged, were not involved in administering the fatal doses. When they refused to prescribe more ketamine, the actor turned to other doctors who gave him access to the drug on the black market.
”We’re not talking about legitimate ketamine treatment. We are talking about two doctors who abused the trust they had, abused their licenses to endanger another person’s life,” said Estrada.
Unlike Plasencia, who pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bail, Sangha, who is well-known in Hollywood elite circles because she is in her home, which the indictment calls the “Sangha Stash House,” allegedly packaged and distributed drugs, mostly for the rich and famous, remains in custody on charges of possibly destroying evidence and using money from drug sales to fund her lavish lifestyle.
A hopeful final chapter
In interviews shortly before his death, Perry seemed optimistic about the future, saying he hoped to be remembered more for helping people struggling with addiction than for his Hollywood career.
“He was deeply committed to helping people get through their worst moments,” said a close friend who worked with Perry on the project. “That’s what he wanted to be remembered for, generosity.”, Forbes writes.
E.Dz.
Photo: Instagram
