"Ketamine Addiction Exploited for Profit"
12-Dollar Ketamine Bottle Sold for Up to 2,000 Dollars
Five individuals, including the attending physician and personal assistant, have been indicted in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who played the role of Chandler Bing in the 1990s American sitcom 'Friends,' which enjoyed immense popularity.
On the 15th (local time), the Los Angeles (LA) federal prosecutors announced the results of their investigation into Perry's death. Prosecutors stated that two doctors who supplied large amounts of ketamine to Perry, along with his personal assistant who lived with him and a ketamine supplier, totaling five people, have been indicted. The prosecutors pointed out, "They are part of an extensive underground criminal network that supplied ketamine drugs in large quantities to the actor and others," and added, "They exploited Perry's ketamine addiction for their own profit."
Actor Matthew Perry, who passed away at his home on October 28 last year (local time). [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]
Perry was found dead on October 28 last year in the heated swimming pool at his LA home. The LA County Coroner's Office concluded the cause of death as "acute ketamine overdose." While only trace amounts of ketamine were found in Perry's stomach, the ketamine level detected in his blood was nearly equivalent to the amount used for general anesthesia.
Perry had been receiving ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety symptoms, with his last treatment occurring about a week and a half before his death.
The prosecutors stated, "The doctors supplied Perry with large amounts of ketamine and even in text messages wondered how much Perry was willing to pay." They added, "They knew what they were doing was wrong," and "They exchanged messages mentioning ketamine as the cause immediately after Perry's death." It is known that the doctors did not prescribe Perry the amount of ketamine he wanted and sold him a $12 bottle of ketamine for $2,000 when he came to them.
They attempted to conceal their involvement in providing ketamine, a powerful anesthetic sometimes used to treat chronic pain and depression, to Perry, and prosecutors added that "they also forged records after Perry's death."
Investigators also confirmed that Perry received multiple injections from his personal assistant on the day of his death. This assistant was the person who discovered Perry's body. Prosecutors explained that Perry's personal assistant received a total of 50 bottles of ketamine from the supplier, including 25 bottles just four days before Perry's death.
Meanwhile, Perry gained great popularity through his role in the hit sitcom 'Friends.' Aired on NBC in the United States from 1994 to 2004, 'Friends' is a series depicting the love and friendship of six young friends living in New York. Perry was popular for his cynical yet comedic performance in 'Friends,' and he was even nominated for an Emmy Award for this role.
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