Matthew Perry, the popular actor known for his role as Chandler Bing in the popular sitcom Friends, passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was found unresponsive in his hot tub at his residence in the area of Pacific Palisades in California.
The final results from an autopsy concluded his death was primarily due to the acute effects of a strong anesthetic called ketamine, combined with drowning and coronary artery disease. Although Perry had been sober for 19 months when he died, he was on courses of ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety. The levels found in his system were dangerously high and did not correspond to his last treatment a week or so prior.
The death of Matthew Perry shocked Hollywood and his fan base, with an outpouring of grief and tributes from colleagues and fans. Many remember him for his unique comic talent but also for speaking out about his addiction problems, which he opened up about in his memoir called Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.
An investigation by the law enforcers followed thereafter, leading to the arrest of five other people charged with different counts involving the selling of ketamine. Those arrested over the scandal include his personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, physician Dr. Mark Chavez, and Erik Fleming.
Who is Salvador Plasencia, one of the doctors of Matthew Perry?
A 42-year-old Santa Monica, California-based doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, is now embroiled in controversy amid the allegations, which have emerged in the wake of the tragic news about actor Matthew Perry's death.
Known at times as "Dr. P," Plasencia has been charged with multiple offenses connected to the sale of ketamine associated with Perry's accidental overdose. According to the authorities, Plasencia sold about 20 vials of ketamine to Perry for almost $55,000 in cash.
An investigation into Plasencia was opened when Perry was found dead floating in his hot tub on October 28, 2023, with extremely high levels of ketamine in his system.
Investigators say that Plasencia didn't just give Perry the drug but even instructed his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, on how to administer it.
This presents serious ethical questions about his medical practice since Iwamasa was completely untrained in medicine. Facing conspiracy to sell ketamine and filing false medical records charges, Plasencia has pleaded not guilty and was released on a $100,000 bond.
His attorney said Plasencia truly believed he was doing what was medically best for Matthew Perry, though some of the evidence may point otherwise.
Who is Matthew Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa?
59-year-old Kenneth Iwamasa was Perry's live-in personal assistant. Iwamasa was not only Matthew Perry's daily affairs manager but also had a Hollywood background with a nine-year tenure as the assistant to the actress Angela Bassett.
He studied photography to environmental design and simultaneously took up a course majoring in cinematography and film production at Columbia College Hollywood. Following Matthew Perry's tragic death, due to an apparent ketamine overdose on October 28, 2023, Iwamasa became wrapped up in a headline legal scandal.
He is facing a count of conspiracy in the distribution of ketamine since he confessed that he used to inject the victim with the drug on several occasions, including the day he died.
The final indictment claimed he participated in a coded conversation in the acquisition of the substance from other codefendants alleging that it was the language of drug traffickers.
He gained nothing since he was not an expert in the medical field for the injection of controlled substances. Iwamasa discovered Perry and then informed the police as he saw the star unresponsive. He has already reached a plea agreement to get a 15-year sentence on one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine, resulting in death.
His actions have raised questions as the case reflects disturbing behavior on the part of a professional or what society would consider the role of an individual assistant concerning client/patient wellness.
It has opened up a lot of hard questions related to medical practices around the drug and its consequences for mental health treatment.
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Stay tuned to Soap Central for more updates on the investigation into Matthew Perry's death.
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