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Matthew Perry passes away at age 54

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I loved him as Chandler in Friends.

RIP!

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Matthew Perry: Friends TV comedy star dies at 54 - US reports

US actor Matthew Perry, best known for playing Chandler Bing in the hit '90s TV sitcom Friends, has died at the age of 54, US media report.

The actor was found dead at his home in his Los Angeles, law enforcement sources told US media.

Friends, which followed the fortunes of six young friends living in New York City, aired from 1994 until 2004.

Its final episode was watched by 52.5 million in the US, making it the most watched TV episode of the 2000s.

The LA Times and TMZ, which first reported that Perry had died, said the actor was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his house.

A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson told the BBC that first responders went to an address in the Pacific Palisades area, regarding a "water emergency" of an unknown type, but did not name Perry.

Warner Bros TV, which produced Friends, said "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," the statement read.

"The impact of his comedic genius was felt around the world, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of so many. This is a heartbreaking day, and we send our love to his family, his loved ones, and all of his devoted fans."

Born in Massachusetts in 1969, Perry was raised in Ottawa, Canada, where he attended elementary school with Justin Trudeau, who later became Canadian prime minister.

Perry moved to Los Angeles as a teenager. He starred as Chazz Russell in Boys Will Be Boys and also had roles in shows including Growing Pains.

But he became an international star on Friends, a show which followed the lives of six New Yorkers navigating dating, careers and friendship.

The comedy, co-starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Lisa Kudrow, became one of the most successful shows of all time.

Perry was cast as the awkward Chandler Bing, famous for his sarcastic one-liners. The role earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2002.

Perry battled for years with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, and attended rehabilitation clinics on multiple occasions.

In 2016, he told BBC Radio 2 that he could not remember three years of filming during Friends, because of drink and drugs.

In an interview last year, he spoke about how he did not watch the show.

"I didn't watch the show, and haven't watched the show, because I could go, 'Drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine,'" he said. "I could tell season by season, by how I looked. That's why I don't wanna watch it, because that's what I see.

"Bit I think I'm going to start to watch it because it's been an incredible thing to watch it touch the hearts of different generations."

Perry also appeared in several films, including Fools Rush In, Almost Heroes and the Whole Nine Yards.

Maggie Wheeler, who played Janice in Friends, was the first of Perry's co-stars to publicly pay tribute to the actor.

Ms Wheeler said the joy Perry brought to "so many" in his "too short lifetime will live on".

"I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared," she wrote on Instagram.

Cruel Intentions actress Selma Blair said Perry was her "oldest boy friend", adding: "All of us loved Matthew Perry, and I did especially. Every day. I loved him unconditionally. And he me.

"And I'm broken. Broken hearted. Sweet dreams Matty. Sweet dreams."

BBC​
 
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Never cared much for this series but for Perry's character .

Sad to hear, tbh. Nothing show without Chandler Bing tbh.
 
Never watched any episode of friend, but he must have some connection with his audience if people are mourning his loss.
 
Haven't seen much of his other work aside from Friends. Chandler's character was one of the reasons I could bear this show.

RIP Matthew, you've brought joy to millions.
 
Even though I think the show was pretty overrated, his character was my favourite. Seeing some of his real-life interviews and media interactions, it did seem like he was pretty troubled and miserable for a long time. RIP.
 
RIP sad day.. Chandler Bing was a fave as was the Friends show in college days !
 
Matthew Perry's initial post-mortem results are inconclusive and the cause of death has been deferred, according to reports in US media.

Further investigations have been requested including a toxicology report before a determination will be made.

According to NBC News, a report released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that although an official conclusion is not likely to be released for several weeks, Perry's body is ready to be released to his family.

The 54-year-old's family have said they are "heartbroken" following the "tragic loss" of their son.​
 
‘Unfathomable loss’: Friends cast pay tribute to Matthew Perry

The surviving cast of Friends have paid tribute to Matthew Perry, describing his sudden death as an “unfathomable loss”.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew,” Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc told People magazine in their first public comments on Perry’s death.

“We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

Perry’s five former co-stars said they would have more to say “when we are able”.

“For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, the LA Times reported, citing law enforcement sources.

He was 54.

The Canadian-born actor had spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and attending rehab for painkillers and alcohol.

In his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry described a five-month hospitalisation in 2018 following a colon rupture that he said left him with a two percent chance of surviving the night.

The cause of Perry’s death is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Perry became one of the world’s most recognised actors for his role as the sarcastic, wisecracking Chandler Bing on NBC’s sitcom, Friends, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.

The series, which followed the lives of six young New Yorkers, was one of the most-watched US TV shows during its runs and remains popular in syndication around the world.

Perry’s death has led to an outpouring of grief and shock from fans worldwide, with mourners leaving flowers and heartfelt tributes outside the New York building that served as an exterior for the show.

Aljazeera​
 
His was quite a unique character in a great show. I heard there were no drugs involved but hard to see how a 54 yr old dies in a hot tub otherwise.
 
Stewie said:
heart disease in the 40s is very common now.
Click to expand...

Is it linked in any way to lifestyle? As we know Perry had a very troubled past with addictions to painkillers and alcohol in the past. Wouldn't be surprised if there was other stuff as well which he wasn't as forthcoming about.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Is it linked in any way to lifestyle? As we know Perry had a very troubled past with addictions to painkillers and alcohol in the past. Wouldn't be surprised if there was other stuff as well which he wasn't as forthcoming about.
Click to expand...
it's linked to covid vaccines
 
Actor Matthew Perry has been laid to rest at a Los Angeles cemetery following a private funeral on Friday, according to US media reports.

All five of his co-stars from hit sitcom Friends attended the service alongside Perry's family, it was reported.

The funeral service at the Forest Lawn cemetery, near Warner Bros Studios, is said to have lasted two hours.

Perry was found dead at his LA home last weekend at the age of 54.

His cause of death has not been confirmed. A post-mortem examination was inconclusive and officials are awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

The star played wise-cracking Chandler Bing on Friends from 1994 to 2004, with his death generating an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow celebrities.

Forest Lawn Memorial Park is the resting place of numerous Hollywood stars including Carrie Fisher, Paul Walker and Stan Laurel.

US media shared long-distance and aerial photographs from outside the service, where Perry's Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer could be seen.

His mother, father, and stepfather were also there. About 20 people dressed in black attended in total, according to TMZ.

www.bbc.com

Matthew Perry buried in private ceremony, US media reports

A private funeral was held in Los Angeles for the actor, attended by family and his Friends co-stars.
www.bbc.com
 

Jennifer Aniston devastated, ‘struggling most acutely’ after Matthew Perry's death: report​



Jennifer Aniston is devastated by Matthew Perry’s sudden death, her friends have claimed. His ‘Friends’ co-stars, as well as some of his family members, were seen at Forest Lawn Church of the Hills in Los Angeles on Friday, October 3, where presumably his funeral service was held.

Dressed in black were Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox and David Schwimmer, arriving as a group. Also present was ‘Friends’ star Matt LeBlanc, alongside other castmates.

“Out of the remaining five, Jen and Courtney [Cox] are reeling the most, and Jen is probably the one who is struggling most acutely,” a source told Page Six. “It’s a second massive loss in less than a year, with the one-year anniversary of her dad’s death just around the corner. She still hasn’t fully regained her footing from that, and now this has just completely knocked her off her feet.”

Aniston’s father, John Aniston, appeared on Days of Our Lives. He died aged 89 in 2022.

“She is trying to regroup and recover but it’s been a completely devastating blow,” the source added.

Perry died by apparent drowning on October 28. He was discovered dead in the hot tub of his home in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood just after 4 pm.

Previously, the ‘Friends’ cast released a joint statement on Perry’s death. Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc paid tribute to their late co-star in a statement shared with ABC News. Perry popularly played Chandler Bing in the sitcom.

"We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family," their statement read. "There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss."

"In time we will say more, as and when we are able," the statement added. "For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."
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Link:
www.hindustantimes.com

Jennifer Aniston devastated, ‘struggling most acutely’ after Matthew Perry's death: report

Jennifer Aniston and other ‘Friends’ stars were recently seen at Forest Lawn Church of the Hills in Los Angeles where Matthew Perry's funeral was held
www.hindustantimes.com www.hindustantimes.com
 
Matthew Perry’s ex Kayti Edwards makes shocking claims about actor’s death

Matthew Perry’s ex-girlfriend Kayti Edwards made some shocking claims about the late actor’s sobriety before his death.

Edwards, who dated the Friends alum back in 2006, told The Sun that Perry was giving clear signs that he was high before his death.

“I know Matthew and I know that he wouldn’t have just drowned,” Edwards told the outlet in reference to the actor’s last social media post. “I think he might have taken pills in the week leading up to this.”

Perry’s last Instagram post, taken five days before his death, was a picture of him in a jacuzzi with the caption, “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.”

The former model briefly dated Perry in 2006 after they met at an Alcohol Anonymous meeting but remained close after the split. Edwards revealed that she was even worked as Perry’s assistant in 2011.

Edwards shared that Perry brought up ‘Mattman’ when he was “not sober and he felt kind of invincible,” adding that he had a “thing with water” when he did drugs. “He always wanted to be in the pool or the jacuzzi,” she shared.

“I was around when he was getting high, although I was not getting high with him, and when I would say maybe he should cool it a little bit with the drugs, he would say, ‘No, I’m Mattman’.”

Perry was found dead from an apparent drowning in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home at age 54. Initial tests revealed he did not have fentanyl or meth in his system, but a full toxicology report is still pending to determine his cause of death.

“They said there were no prescription painkillers at the scene, which doesn’t surprise me because he didn’t leave drugs lying around,” Edwards claimed. “He was paranoid and would take them all, so there wasn’t any evidence, and then go out for more when he was ready to.”

www.thenews.com.pk

Matthew Perry’s ex Kayti Edwards makes shocking claims about actor’s death

Matthew Perry’s ex-girlfriend Kayti Edwards made some shocking claims about the late actor’s sobriety before his death.Edwards, who dated the Friends alum back in 2006, told The Sun that...
www.thenews.com.pk www.thenews.com.pk
 
Man I remember friends, such a good show. Great actor man, legend passed away 😔
 
BouncerGuy said:
Matthew Perry’s ex Kayti Edwards makes shocking claims about actor’s death

Matthew Perry’s ex-girlfriend Kayti Edwards made some shocking claims about the late actor’s sobriety before his death.

Edwards, who dated the Friends alum back in 2006, told The Sun that Perry was giving clear signs that he was high before his death.

“I know Matthew and I know that he wouldn’t have just drowned,” Edwards told the outlet in reference to the actor’s last social media post. “I think he might have taken pills in the week leading up to this.”

Perry’s last Instagram post, taken five days before his death, was a picture of him in a jacuzzi with the caption, “Oh, so warm water swirling around makes you feel good? I’m Mattman.”

The former model briefly dated Perry in 2006 after they met at an Alcohol Anonymous meeting but remained close after the split. Edwards revealed that she was even worked as Perry’s assistant in 2011.

Edwards shared that Perry brought up ‘Mattman’ when he was “not sober and he felt kind of invincible,” adding that he had a “thing with water” when he did drugs. “He always wanted to be in the pool or the jacuzzi,” she shared.

“I was around when he was getting high, although I was not getting high with him, and when I would say maybe he should cool it a little bit with the drugs, he would say, ‘No, I’m Mattman’.”

Perry was found dead from an apparent drowning in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home at age 54. Initial tests revealed he did not have fentanyl or meth in his system, but a full toxicology report is still pending to determine his cause of death.

“They said there were no prescription painkillers at the scene, which doesn’t surprise me because he didn’t leave drugs lying around,” Edwards claimed. “He was paranoid and would take them all, so there wasn’t any evidence, and then go out for more when he was ready to.”

www.thenews.com.pk

Matthew Perry’s ex Kayti Edwards makes shocking claims about actor’s death

Matthew Perry’s ex-girlfriend Kayti Edwards made some shocking claims about the late actor’s sobriety before his death.Edwards, who dated the Friends alum back in 2006, told The Sun that...
www.thenews.com.pk www.thenews.com.pk
Click to expand...
As an ardent advocate for preventing mental health , its sad to see him succumb to drugs
 
Perry death an accident caused by ketamine - coroner

Actor Matthew Perry's death was an accident caused by the "acute effects of ketamine", medical officials in Los Angeles have confirmed.

The star was found unresponsive in the pool of his LA home in October, but a post-mortem examination was inconclusive at the time.

Drowning was listed as a contributing factor in his death.

Other contributing causes of the 54-year-old's death were given as coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder, the LA County medical examiner said in a statement.

"At the high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression," senior deputy medical examiner Raffi Djabourian wrote, according to the Press Association.

"Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine induced myocardial effects on the heart."

He was found unresponsive at his home on 28 October, and paramedics pronounced his death when they were called to the scene.



www.bbc.com

Perry death an accident caused by ketamine - coroner

Actor Matthew Perry's death was accident caused by "acute effects of ketamine", LA medical examiner says.
www.bbc.com
 
LA police open probe into Matthew Perry's death

Police in Los Angeles have said they have opened an investigation into the death of actor Matthew Perry.

Perry, the star of the hit TV sitcom Friends, died in October from "acute effects of ketamine", medical officials said at the time.

The investigation will look into how the actor obtained the anaesthetic ketamine found in his system.

Drowning was also listed as a contributing factor in his death, which was ruled an accident.

In a statement to media on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that it is working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the US Postal Inspection Service on an investigation into the 54-year-old’s death.

It is unclear how far along the investigation - which was first reported on by TMZ - is or who has been interviewed as part of it.

Perry was found unresponsive in the pool of his LA home on 28 October and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The LA County medical examiner’s office said in December there were “high levels of ketamine found in his post-mortem blood specimen”.

Senior deputy medical examiner Raffi Djabourian added that other contributing factors in his death were coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder.

"Drowning contributes due to the likelihood of submersion into the pool as he lapsed into unconsciousness; coronary artery disease contributes due to exacerbation of ketamine induced myocardial effects on the heart,” he said.

Perry had been receiving medically supervised ketamine treatments for depression and anxiety at the time of his death, though the report noted that his last prescribed ketamine treatment was a week and a half before his death.

At the height of his fame, Perry was battling with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, and attended rehabilitation clinics on multiple occasions.

In 2016, he told BBC Radio 2 that he could not remember three years of filming during Friends, because of drink and drugs.

After attempts at treatment, he wrote in his memoir that he had been mostly sober since 2001 - "save for about 60 or 70 mishaps".

BBC
 

Arrests made over Matthew Perry's death​


Arrests have been made over the death of Friends star Matthew Perry who was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles home in October.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of his death was "the acute effects of ketamine", a controlled drug which the recovering addict was taking as part of supervised therapy.

LA police opened an investigation in May to determine why Perry, 54, had so much of the drug in his system when he died.
On Thursday, two law enforcement sources told the BBC's US partner CBS that arrests had been made in the investigation. The news was first reported by TMZ.

Police and law enforcement officials have not publicly confirmed the reports.

Ketamine - a powerful anaesthetic - is used as a treatment for depression, anxiety and pain. People close to Perry told a coroner's investigation after his death that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy.

But his last session had taken place more than a week before his death. The medical examiner said the ketamine in Perry's system could not have been from the infusion therapy because of the drug's short half-life.

The levels of ketamine in his body were as high as the amount given during general anaesthesia, according to the medical examiner.

Just how the actor - who had reportedly not had a supervised infusion session for several days - obtained the drug became the subject of the legal investigation.

Drowning was also listed as a contributing factor in his death, which was ruled an accident. Other contributing factors were coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder.

At the height of his fame, Perry was battling with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, and attended rehabilitation clinics on multiple occasions. He detailed his struggle with substance use in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.

In 2016, he told BBC Radio 2 that he could not remember three years of filming during Friends, because of drink and drugs.

After attempts at treatment, he wrote in his memoir that he had been mostly sober since 2001 - "save for about 60 or 70 mishaps".

www.bbc.com

Matthew Perry: Arrests made over death of Friends actor

Two law enforcement sources tell the BBC's US partner CBS arrests have been made in the investigation into the actor's death.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
'Ketamine Queen' and cover-ups: Five things discovered in the Matthew Perry probe

When Friends actor Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last year, it seemed like it could have just been an accident.

He'd been treating his depression with ketamine infusion therapy, wasn't found with drug paraphernalia or anything suggesting foul play, and appeared to have drowned.

He'd spent decades fighting addiction, but the actor had said he was finally clean.

As the world mourned the passing of the actor, known for playing Chandler Bing on Friends, a coroner found something curious: high levels of ketamine in his blood, in the range used for general anaesthesia during surgery.

It should not have still been in his system since his last therapy appointment more than a week prior.

According to US prosecutors, a nearly year-long investigation that followed uncovered an alleged vast underground ketamine dealing network, cover-up attempts and another death.

It led to five arrests - including medical doctors, Perry's assistant and an alleged dealer they said was known locally as the "Ketamine Queen".

His live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine causing death, and two other people - Eric Fleming and Dr Mark Chavez - also pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute drugs unlawfully.

Dr Salvador Plasencia, accused of supplying ketamine to Perry, is charged with falsifying records. Alleged dealer Jasveen Sangha faces nine counts, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Both pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday.

'The Ketamine Queen' and a 'drug-selling emporium'

Ms Sangha's name comes up again and again in the investigation.

Authorities allege the "Ketamine Queen" supplied the drugs that led to Perry's death on 28 October 2023.

The 41-year-old is accused of selling 50 vials of ketamine to him for about $11,000 (£8,550) and is described by prosecutors as a drug trafficker who knew the ketamine she distributed could be deadly.

Her North Hollywood home was a "drug-selling emporium", Martin Estrada, the US attorney for California's Central District, told a news conference.

More than 80 vials of ketamine were allegedly found there in a search, along with thousands of pills that included methamphetamine, cocaine and Xanax.

A handgun was also discovered, Mr Estrada said.

The home, called the "Sangha Stash House" in the indictment, was where she is alleged to have packaged and distributed drugs, mostly for the rich and famous.

Ms Sangha "only deal with high end and celebs", according to the indictment.

Before the news conference ended, Mr Estrada was asked about the scale of Ms Sangha's alleged network.

He alleged she was a "major source of supply for ketamine to others as well as Perry".

Doctors and dealers 'exploited' Perry

As Perry fell deeper into addiction, he wanted more and more ketamine and sought it for lower prices, which led to him to street dealers as well as the more elite providers, authorities said.

Those charged in the case took advantage of him, Mr Estrada said.

"I wonder how much this moron will pay?" Dr Plasencia wrote in one text message, according to authorities.

In another, he said he wanted to be Perry's "go-to for drugs".

It is alleged that Perry paid them around $2,000 for vials that actually cost about $12 a piece.

“These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr Perry than caring for his well-being,” said Mr Estrada.

Authorities say Perry purchased 20 vials of ketamine from Dr Plasencia for a total of $55,000 between September and October 2023.

Dr Plasencia also allegedly taught Iwamasa, the assistant, how to inject the drug, even though he had learned "that Perry’s ketamine addiction was spiralling out of control", according to investigators.

Authorities say the doctor provided more ketamine even though he witnessed Perry "freeze up" while administering the drug on one occasion.

Alleged cover-up attempts - and discovery of second death

Following Perry's death, those accused of supplying him with the drugs attempted to hide their actions, investigators say.

Authorities say Ms Sangha sent a message to another suspect telling him to "delete all our messages".

Fleming is alleged to have messaged Ms Sangha: “Please call... Got more info and want to bounce ideas off you. I’m 90% sure everyone is protected. I never dealt with [Perry] only his assistant. So the assistant was the enabler."

He also asked Ms Sangha, according to court documents, whether ketamine stays "in your system or is it immediately flushed out".

Authorities say they used coded language, calling ketamine "Dr Pepper", "bots" or "cans".

Dr Plasencia allegedly falsified medical records in an attempt to make the drugs given to the actor look legitimate.

Authorities also uncovered that Ms Sangha was allegedly tied to another overdose death in 2019.

According to court documents, she knew about the dangers of ketamine after selling it to a customer named Cody McLaury, who died of an overdose after buying the drug.

One of his family members is said to have texted her saying: "The ketamine you sold my brother killed him. It's listed as the cause of death."

Days later, investigators say, Ms Sangha searched on Google: "Can ketamine be listed as a cause of death?"

Authorities say Ms Sangha will face charges in that case.

Assistant injected actor multiple times daily

Perry's live-in assistant, Iwamasa, was the person who found the actor dead.

Investigators say he was also the one who injected Perry with the ketamine that led to his death.

Iwamasa never received medical training and "knew little, if anything" about administering controlled substances, according to court documents.

In the four days leading up to and including Perry's death, prosecutors say Iwamasa administered more than 20 shots of ketamine, three on the day the actor died.

He was charged in July with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and serious bodily injury. Prosecutors say he has since pled guilty to the charge.

Ketamine is supposed to be administered only by a physician, investigators say, and patients who have taken the drug should be monitored by a professional because of its possible harmful effects.

On 10 October, weeks before Perry's death, Dr Plasencia is alleged to have bought 10 vials of ketamine from accused co-conspirator Dr Mark Chavez, which he intended to sell to Perry.

Authorities say Dr Plasencia then met Perry and Iwamasa in a public parking lot, where the doctor injected the actor while inside a vehicle.

Two days later, he allegedly injected him at home with a large dose that caused him to "freeze up" and his blood pressure to spike.

Dr Plasencia told Iwamasa something to the effect of, “Let’s not do that again.”

But he allegedly left additional vials with Iwamasa.

Perry's legacy with a hope of helping others

Perry was open about his addictions. His 2022 memoir described decades struggling with alcohol and drugs. He wrote about his co-star Jennifer Anniston confronting him over smelling alcohol on his breath and the millions he'd spent trying to remain sober.

He said that he hoped his openness would help others who were struggling. The homepage for the Matthew Perry Foundation, set up after his death, has his quote: "When I die, I want helping others to be the first thing that's mentioned."

The head of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Anne Milgram, said on Thursday that the arrests and the public details of the high-profile case were likely to help others and prevent deaths - exactly as Perry had wanted.

BBC
 
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Doctor bailed over Matthew Perry drugs death

One of the doctors charged in the drug-related death of actor Matthew Perry last year has appeared in a US court.

Mark Chavez was bailed at the hearing in Los Angeles on Friday during which he agreed to stop practising medicine. He is "incredibly remorseful", his lawyer said.

Dr Chavez, one of five people charged over Perry's death, has agreed a plea deal with prosecutors, but did not enter it formally during the hearing.

Perry, 54, died at his Los Angeles home last October. A post-mortem examination found a high concentration of the drug ketamine in his blood and determined the "acute effects" of the controlled substance had killed him.

Police announced the results of their investigation and two weeks ago.

They said they had uncovered a "broad underground criminal network" of drug suppliers who distributed large quantities of ketamine.

Three of those charged - including Perry's assistant - have already pleaded guilty to drug charges.

Dr Chavez has admitted one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

At Friday's court hearing, bail was set at $50,000 (£38,000) with Mr Chavez ordered to surrender his passport and agree not to continue practising medicine.

"My client is accepting responsibility. He’s doing everything in his power to co-operate, to help in this situation," defence lawyer Matt Binninger said.

Ketamine - a powerful anaesthetic - is used as a treatment for depression, anxiety and pain.

People close to Perry, who starred as one of the lead characters on the NBC television show Friends, told a coroner's investigation after his death that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy.

But his last session had taken place more than a week before his death. The medical examiner said the ketamine in Perry's system could not have been from the infusion therapy because of the drug's short half-life.

The levels of ketamine in his body were as high as the amount given during general anaesthesia, according to the medical examiner.

An indictment filed in a federal court detailed the elaborate drug purchasing scheme that prosecutors say ultimately led to Perry's death.

Prosecutors said Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, worked with two doctors to provide the actor with more than $50,000 (£38,000) of ketamine in the weeks before his death.

Officials argued those involved in the scheme tried to profit from Perry's well-known substance-abuse issues. One of the doctors, Salvador Plasencia, is alleged to have written in a text message: "I wonder how much this moron will pay."

Dr Plasencia, 42, provided Perry with ketamine "outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose", according to the indictment.

He also allegedly taught Iwamasa how to inject Perry with ketamine without proper safety procedures and surveillance, the indictment said.

In the four days before his death, Iwamasa gave Perry at least 27 shots of ketamine, prosecutors alleged.

He did so even after a large dose of ketamine earlier that month caused Perry to "freeze up", leading Mr Plasencia to advise against a similar-sized dose in the future, prosecutors said. The doctor still left several vials of the drug with the actor and his assistant after the incident, according to the indictment.

Others charged in the case include Jasveen Sangha, the so-called "Ketamine Queen" who prosecutors allege supplied the drug to Plasencia through the help of two other co-defendants, Erik Fleming and Dr Chavez.

Prosecutors say the defendants attempted to cover up their alleged crimes after Perry's death.

Ms Sangha allegedly texted another suspect, telling him to "delete all our messages". Dr Plasencia also falsified medical records, according to the indictment.

Drowning was also listed as a contributing factor in Perry's death, which was ruled an accident. Other contributing factors were coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder.

At the height of his fame, Perry was battling with addiction to painkillers and alcohol, and attended rehabilitation on multiple occasions. He detailed his struggle with substance use in his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.

In 2016, he told BBC Radio 2 that he could not remember three years of filming during Friends, because of drink and drugs.

After attempts at treatment, he wrote in his memoir that he had been mostly sober since 2001 - "save for about 60 or 70 mishaps".

BBC
 
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