- Ketamine, touted as a potential treatment for depression, tragically led to Matthew Perry's demise.
Matthew Perry, famously known for his struggles with drug addiction, frequently spoke about his battles with substance abuse throughout his life. He discussed the demons that pushed him towards his next high, even admitting to being under the influence during filming for "Friends" and how drugs nearly claimed his life. In public, he portrayed himself as a reformed addict, and many believed his tale.
However, reports reveal a different story. Perry passed away in October last year at his Los Angeles villa, submerged in a hot tub. As investigations by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reveal, an excessive dose of propofol led to his untimely death. This drug is commonly used in veterinary medicine but has also gained popularity in addiction therapy due to its psychedelic effects that potentially help combat depression and PTSD. When administered correctly under medical supervision, it may aid in breaking addiction triggers.
According to investigation documents, Perry had previously undergone treatment with the substance by a physician, first in Switzerland a few years prior. In his autobiography "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," he vividly described the day he received his initial dose in a rehabilitation facility. He described it as alleviating his pain and helping combat his depression. He even joked, "They could have named it ‘Matty’. " The experience felt like "a giant exhale." Perry continued, "As the music played and the propofol entered my veins, everything was about the ego and the death of the ego. (...) I often thought I was going to die during that hour. Oh, I thought, this is what happens when you die." Despite his initial positive experience, he concluded, "Propofol wasn't for me."
Matthew Perry's battle with addiction
Over time, Perry must have relapsed to the medication. He was legally prescribed it by doctors prior to his passing. As his dependence deepened, he turned to illicit sources for the drug. Multiple times a day, his assistant would administer the injections to him before his tragic death in Los Angeles. On October 28, following three doses, he was discovered face down in his pool. An autopsy report now confirms his death was due to "acute propofol intoxication," with drowning also contributing.
In the United States, where medication is often approached more casually, propofol therapy is popular despite the controversies surrounding it. Critics argue that its strong dissociative effects can worsen psychological instability if not used properly. Additionally, reports of patients whose symptoms worsened during therapy and the risk of propofol-induced dependence and misuse, particularly for those with a history of substance abuse, are concerning.
It appears that this was Matthew Perry's circumstances. Police records depict a severely dependent individual who spent his final days desperately seeking his next fix. When his treating doctors refused to increase his dosage, he began obtaining the substance from illegal sources in increasingly large amounts. Five individuals, including two doctors, have been arrested and charged in connection to the actor's death.
According to police records, his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, a 59-year-old with no medical training, supplied Perry with his lethal doses in the days leading up to his death. Around 8:30 AM on the day of his passing, Perry received his first dose. Just four hours later, he received a second dose. Shortly before entering the hot tub, he received a third dose. Iwamasa reportedly told police, "Shoot me up with a big one," requesting a large dose.
Kenneth Iwamasa has since become one of the defendants in the Perry case. He, along with Dr. Salvador Plasencia, also face charges for selling and administering propofol to the actor. Jasveen Sangha, known as "The Propofol Queen," a drug dealer, is among the accused. Her propofol is suspected of causing Perry's death, and she faces up to 10 years in prison. The remaining defendants could face up to 25 years behind bars.
The investigation file offers a comprehensive look into the illegal distribution of propofol in Hollywood and provides a chilling glimpse into Matthew Perry's final weeks. Despite portraying a healthy and content exterior, his true struggles were far from public view. Desperately trying to secure new doses, he spent fortunes within a few short weeks and received propofol injections up to eight times a day.
On September 30, 2023, approximately a month before his demise, Plasencia and Chavez connected with Perry for the first time. One of them messaged, "I'm intrigued by how much this fool is willing to pay." Following this, Plasencia visited Perry at his recently renovated ocean-view residence, introducing him to Ketamine for the first time. Plasencia also handed over syringes and showed the assistant how to administer them. Perry paid a whopping $4,500 for this private visit.
Further supplies were procured under the alias "Dr. Pepper."
His downward spiral into addiction was rapid. With the secret phrase "Dr. Pepper," Iwamasa requested additional supplies. The consequences were dire. On October 12th, Perry overreacted to the Ketamine, causing his blood pressure to soar. His body essentially went into a freeze state. He claimed he was unable to move or speak.
Post-mortem, everyone involved attempted to erase their traces. Iwamasa disposed of all traces of the illicit substances in the villa. They corresponded through encrypted communications on Signal, planning their next steps and distancing themselves from the actor. They almost managed to evade any suspicion. Initially, authorities classified the case as a tragic accident. However, after several months, further investigations revealed new details about Perry's death and the role Ketamine played in it.
Despite his public portrayal as a reformed addict, Matthew Perry's private struggle with addiction continued, leading him to rely on propofol, a drug often used in addiction therapy but with controversial applications.
In the investigation documents, it was revealed that Matthew Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, illegally supplied him with propofol in the days leading up to his death.
