Matthew Perry's tragic end: Legal battle over ketamine link
A year has passed since the death of the actor, a star beloved by an entire generation of millennials. Matthew Perry passed away after many years of battling addictions at the age of 54. Today, his mother reflects on the last words she heard from him shortly before he died.
11:49 AM EDT, October 29, 2024
On October 28, 2023, the news of Matthew Perry's death shocked the world. The actor was found unconscious at his estate in Los Angeles. Perry drowned in his pool. Was it a heart attack? Suicide? After examinations, it was discovered that his bloodstream contained several substances he was supposed to have quit long ago, including ketamine.
Not only his loved ones but also millions of people around the world were devastated. The series "Friends" is a collective experience for an entire generation of viewers who loved the character of Chandler, played by the late actor. His ongoing battle with demons—addiction to alcohol, drugs, and painkillers—was no secret. He ultimately lost that battle.
Suzanne Morrison, Matthew's mom, spoke in an interview with "Today," sharing what she heard from her son shortly before his passing:
"He came up to me and he said, 'I love you so much, and I'm so happy to be with you now,'" she recounted, adding, "It was almost as though it was a premonition or something. I didn’t think about it at the time, but I thought, ‘How long has it been since we’ve had a conversation like that?’ It’s been years.'"
Investigation into Matthew Perry's death
In connection with Matthew Perry’s death, a court date has been set for March 4, 2025, for two people accused of illegally supplying ketamine to the actor. The accused are Jasveen Sangha, the "Queen of Ketamine," and Dr. Salvador Plasencia. The defendants plead not guilty.
Jasveen Sangha, a 41-year-old alleged drug dealer, has been charged with supplying ketamine to the actor in the weeks preceding his death in October 2023. Sangha, known in North Hollywood as a dealer to celebrities, reportedly led a lavish lifestyle funded by drug trafficking, boasting about vacations in Mexico and Japan and a luxurious lifestyle on Instagram.
The case of Matthew Perry's death has uncovered a complex network of connections. Apart from Sangha, Erik Fleming and three other accomplices, including the assistant to the "Friends" star and two doctors responsible for distributing ketamine, have also been charged. Among the accused, Kenneth Iwamasa, a former assistant to Perry, and Fleming admitted their guilt, acknowledging that they supplied Perry with numerous doses of the drug in his final days. Doctors who prescribed the actor a powerful medication have also been arrested.
