Current:Home > MarketsMatthew Perry Ketamine Case: Doctors Called Him “Moron” in Text Messages, Prosecutors Allege -EverVision Finance
Matthew Perry Ketamine Case: Doctors Called Him “Moron” in Text Messages, Prosecutors Allege
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:44:04
More details about Matthew Perry's death investigation are surfacing.
At an Aug. 15 press conference, prosecutors revealed text messages between his doctors Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez—two of five people charged in connection to the Friends alum's death—allegedly showing that the medical professionals discussed how much the actor would be willing to spend on ketamine, the drug found in his system after he was discovered unresponsive in the hot tub of his California home.
"I wonder how much this moron will pay," Plasencia allegedly wrote in one September 2023 message to Chavez, according to the press conference from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), while allegedly adding in another text that he wanted to be Perry's "go to for drugs."
And other defendants in the case allegedly exchanged messages about profiting off Perry's ketamine use as well. The DOJ alleges that Erik Fleming—who pleaded guilty to two ketamine-related charges after admitting to authorities that he distributed the ketamine that killed the 54-year-old—confessed in a text, "I wouldn't do it if there wasn't chance of me making some money for doing this."
And that's not the only evidence prosecutors have shared regarding the doctors' alleged involvement in his passing, which was ruled a drug and drowning-related accident and the result of the "acute effects of ketamine" by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
According to the DOJ, Plasencia, 42, worked with Perry's assistant Kenneth Iwamasa to distribute approximately 20 vials of ketamine to the Fools Rush In star between September and October 2023 in exchange for $55,000 cash from Perry. On one occasion, Plasencia allegedly sent Iwamasa home with additional vials of ketamine after injecting Perry with the drug and watching him "freeze up and his blood pressure spike."
Plasencia was arrested on Aug. 15 and charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation. Meanwhile, Chavez previously agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
As for Iwamasa, the 59-year-old pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Additionally, he "admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including performing multiple injections on Perry" on the day Perry died, per the DOJ.
Noting that Plasencia is one of the lead defendants in the case, U.S. attorney Martin Estrada reflected on Perry's longtime struggle with drug addiction and how his relapse in the fall of 2023 was extorted for the defendants' benefit.
"They knew what they were doing was wrong," Estrada said in the press conference. "They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyways."
He added, "In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being."
E! News has reached out to attorneys for Iwamasa, Plasencia, Chavez and Fleming for comment but has not heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (67)
Related
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Heather Graham Calls Out the Sexism During Her Hollywood Career
- Julián Figueroa, Singer-Songwriter and Telenovela Actor, Dead at 27
- Jeremy Renner Enjoys Family Trip to Six Flags Amusement Park 3 Months After Snowplow Accident
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Iran fired shots at oil tanker near Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Navy says
- Pete Davidson and Chase Sui Wonders Enjoy an Eggs-Cellent Visit to Martha Stewart's Farm
- Darwin in a lab: Coral evolution tweaked for global warming
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Aftermath (2020)
Ranking
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- At least 51 people killed in road accident in western Kenya, 32 injured, police and Red Cross say
- Amazon's Secret Viral Beauty Storefront Is Hiding the Best Makeup & Skincare Deals Starting at $3
- COP26 sees pledges to transition to electric vehicles, but key countries are mum
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- In hurricane-wrecked Southern Louisiana, longtime residents consider calling it quits
- Heather Graham Calls Out the Sexism During Her Hollywood Career
- Today Is the Last Day to Score Target's Stylish Spring Dress Deals for as Low as $10
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Mexican journalist found dead days after being reported missing
Kate Middleton, Prince William and Their 3 Kids Match in Blue for Easter Church Service
Palestinians flee Israel's raid on West Bank refugee camp as several hurt in Tel Aviv car attack
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Biden meets U.K. PM Sunak in London and has a sit-down with King Charles before heading for a NATO summit
Bow Down to Zendaya and Tom Holland’s Intimate Palace Date
Taliban orders Afghanistan's beauty salons to close in latest crackdown on women's rights