Matthew Perry’s friendship with Brooke Mueller, who was reportedly questioned in connection with his death last October, was indicative of the “Friends” star’s struggles, according to an insider who spoke with Us Weekly.
The 54-year-old “Friends” star, who died of the “acute effects of ketamine,” and Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife, 47, “met at rehab a couple times,” the source told the outlet.
“When they reconnected the last time at treatment they were back on each other’s radars,” said the anonymous insider. “Matthew was a friend who would ask her for favors. And Matthew was relentless. That’s what an addict is.”
The source went on to say Mueller “was a pawn to Matthew. They didn’t go to dinner or hang out. He was isolated even from friends and family.” Some of those favors are believed to include exchanging names of doctors who might be inclined to prescribe more liberally than others.
The five-time Emmy nominee, who was open about his longtime battle with addiction, was previously believed to have been sober at the time of his death — save for ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety.
On Aug. 15, authorities announced that two physicians, as well as Perry’s live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, an accused drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles,” and director-producer Erik Fleming had been arrested in his death.
Dr. Salvador “Dr. P” Plasencia, 42, and Jasveen “Ketamine Queen” Sangha, 41, have each pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, which include one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine during Perry’s final weeks, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California.
Plasencia is accused of having also instructed Iwamasa, 59, how to inject Perry with ketamine — despite knowing that Iwamasa had no medical experience nor training.
Iwamasa — who allegedly injected Perry repeatedly in the weeks leading up to his death, including three times the day of — has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, has also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
“Surreal Life” director Fleming, a reported “acquaintance” of Perry’s, last week also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution resulting in death.
