Matthew Perry, known for his role in “Friends,” was found dead due to an accidental overdose of ketamine. He had been struggling with an out-of-control addiction to the drug, reportedly injecting it six to eight times a day. Five people have been charged in connection to his death, including his personal assistant and a doctor accused of providing the drug. Perry had been undergoing ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety, but his unsupervised use of the drug led to his death. The levels of ketamine found in his body were equivalent to what is used in surgery. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, pleaded guilty to distributing the drug causing Perry’s death, revealing the depth of his addiction and interactions with the doctor. Another individual, Erik Fleming, also pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine to Perry. Perry had paid tens of thousands of dollars for the drug in the month leading up to his death. Despite his struggles with addiction, Perry had been vocal about his recovery journey and efforts to help others struggling with substance abuse. He received an award for his recovery efforts in 2013 and had converted his home into a sober-living residence. Perry hoped to be remembered for his advocacy work rather than his acting career.
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