Matthew Perry’s family expressed their support for the prosecution of those charged in connection with the actor’s death during a recent interview on Today. Perry passed away a year ago on October 28, with an autopsy revealing that his death resulted from “acute effects of ketamine,” which caused him to lose consciousness and drown in the hot tub at his home. Five individuals, including two doctors, his live-in assistant, a television producer, and a woman referred to as Los Angeles’ “Ketamine Queen,” were arrested and are accused of supplying Perry with the drugs that led to his overdose.
In the interview, Perry’s mother, Suzanne Morrison, shared her satisfaction with the ongoing criminal cases. Perry’s stepfather, Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison, emphasized that those profiting from selling harmful drugs are now being held accountable, regardless of their professional backgrounds.
Officials noted that Perry developed an addiction to ketamine while seeking help for depression and anxiety at a local clinic in the fall of 2023. After the clinic refused to increase his prescription, Perry allegedly sought out other suppliers implicated in the case.
Despite his long history of substance abuse and efforts at sobriety, Perry’s sister, Madeline Morrison, remarked on his escalating ketamine dependency, noting uncertainty about whether he recognized his relapse.
To date, three out of the five defendants have pleaded guilty. Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, admitted to giving Perry ketamine as frequently as six times a day, including on the day of his death. TV producer Erik Fleming was said to have acted as a “street dealer,” obtaining large quantities of ketamine from Jasveen Sangha, the “Ketamine Queen,” before selling it to Perry. Dr. Mark Chavez also pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine to Perry and expressed his remorse during an August hearing.
The remaining defendants, Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, have pleaded not guilty, with their trial set to commence on March 4, 2025.
During their discussion on Today, Perry’s family reflected on the first anniversary of his death, sharing their grief and plans to honor Perry’s legacy in supporting addiction recovery. They introduced the newly established Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, which aims to continue his mission of helping others struggling with addiction.
Caitlin Morrison, Perry’s sister and the executive director of the new foundation, mentioned her brother’s dedication to encouraging others to seek help, emphasizing that recognizing the need for assistance is a courageous act. She acknowledged the challenge of battling addiction, describing it as a constant struggle between the desire for freedom and the pull of dependency.
Keith Morrison concluded that Perry’s death serves as a lesson that wealth alone cannot cure addiction, underscoring the importance of additional support and resources, which the foundation aims to provide.