In recent days, a wealth of information has come to light surrounding Matthew Perry’s tragic death last October.
Each revelation has been more heartbreaking than the last.
Earlier this week, we discovered that several arrests were made in relation to the actor’s death, as it was reported that he obtained ketamine from both doctors and drug dealers without a valid prescription.
We also learned that Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, administered an injection to the beloved actor on the day of his death.
According to newly-released court documents obtained by NBC News and published on August 16, Perry reportedly requested his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa to help him with the drug three times on that day.
Referring to the substance, the Friends star allegedly asked Iwamasa to “shoot me up with a big one.”
These are reportedly the last words Perry spoke to anyone before his tragic overdose.
Perry was discovered dead in the hot tub at his Los Angeles residence on October 28, with the cause of death later determined to be the “acute effects of ketamine” after a drowning-related incident.
This was not the first instance where Perry faced adverse effects from the dissociative anesthetic.
According to recently unsealed documents, Perry suffered an “adverse medical reaction” to an at-home ketamine injection on October 12. Prosecutors revealed that Dr. Salvador Plasencia (who has been arrested) injected the actor with “a large dose” of ketamine at Iwamasa’s request, following a previous ketamine infusion therapy that was legally prescribed.
The at-home procedure, however, was not legally sanctioned.
The Department of Justice reported that the ketamine injection caused a “significant spike” in Perry’s blood pressure, resulting in him being unable to move or speak.
There’s still more to uncover:
While the three injections mentioned contributed to Perry’s death in October, Iwamasa claims he administered a total of 27 injections in the five days leading up to Perry’s passing.
(It’s worth noting that Iwamasa lacks any medical training and was merely following directions from Plasencia.)
Iwamasa, who discovered Perry’s body, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death, according to authorities.
Furthermore, Plasencia is facing charges including one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of ketamine distribution, and two counts of altering and falsifying documents related to the federal investigation.
As of now, he has not publicly pleaded in court.
Perry had battled substance abuse for many years, yet those closest to him believed he was clean at the time of his death.
The actor chronicled his struggles in his memoir “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir,” dedicating much of his effort to using his experience to aid others in achieving sobriety.
In a statement following his passing, Warner Bros. expressed:
“We are devastated by the passing of our dear friend Matthew Perry. Matthew was an incredibly gifted actor and an indelible part of the Warner Bros. Television Group family.
“His comedic brilliance resonated globally, and his legacy will forever remain in the hearts of countless fans.
“Today is truly heartbreaking, and we send our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all of his devoted fans.”
