Matthew Perry’s death shocked many, as he was widely beloved for his role on “Friends” from 1994 to 2004, alongside Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow.
Five people have been charged in connection with the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry, as announced by the US Attorney’s Office. The charges stem from an investigation that revealed a covert network of drug dealers and suppliers allegedly responsible for distributing ketamine, the lethal drug that caused Perry’s death.
Among those charged are two doctors, Perry’s personal assistant, and an individual dubbed “The Ketamine Queen” by authorities, according to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office.
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US Attorney Martin Estrada commented on the case, stating that the defendants exploited Perry’s struggles with addiction. “They were fully aware of their wrongdoing,” Estrada said.
Three of the five individuals have already reached plea agreements. The other two defendants, Dr. Salvador Plasencia from Santa Monica, California, and Jasveen Sangha, who allegedly ran a drug operation from her home, were indicted on Wednesday, according to Estrada.
Plasencia has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and falsifying records related to the federal investigation. He was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond and surrendered his DEA license to prescribe controlled substances. His trial is set for October 8.
Sangha also pleaded not guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and ketamine. Her bond, which was previously set for a separate, undisclosed charge, was revoked, and she remains in custody. Prosecutors argued she poses a flight risk due to her extensive international travel and dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom, suggesting she may be financing herself through drug sales.
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Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” passed away in October 2023 at age 54. He was discovered unresponsive in a standalone jacuzzi at his Pacific Palisades home. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Perry died from the “acute effects of ketamine” and subsequent drowning.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram expressed the gravity of the case, stating, “Matthew Perry’s tragedy began with doctors who abused their positions of trust, viewing him as a financial opportunity, and ended with street dealers providing him with unmarked vials of ketamine.” She emphasized that the DEA is committed to holding accountable those who distribute dangerous drugs, whether they are local traffickers or medical professionals who betray their oath to care for patients.
Estrada noted that Perry likely relapsed into addiction in the fall of 2023, making him vulnerable to the actions of those charged. Plasencia is alleged to have worked with Dr. Mark Chavez to supply Perry with ketamine, which was administered by Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who had no medical training.
Chavez, a 54-year-old doctor from San Diego, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Iwamasa, a 59-year-old from Toluca Lake, California, pleaded guilty on August 7 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Authorities allege that Iwamasa administered several injections to Perry on the day of his death, October 28, 2023.
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Eric Fleming, 54, from Hawthorne, California, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Fleming admitted in court documents that he provided the ketamine that led to Perry’s death, which he obtained from Sangha, according to the press release.
Estrada revealed that over a two-month period, from September to October 2023, Perry acquired approximately 20 vials of ketamine, costing him around $55,000. “Defendant Plasencia saw this as a chance to exploit Mr. Perry,” Estrada said, citing a text message from September 2023 in which Plasencia questioned how much Perry would be willing to pay. Plasencia also expressed a desire to be Perry’s exclusive supplier in other text messages.
Perry had chronicled his battle with addiction in his 2022 memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” where he recounted how he began abusing prescription drugs following a jet ski accident in 1997. His addiction escalated to the point where he was consuming up to 55 pills a day, leading to noticeable weight loss during his time on “Friends.”
In recent years, ketamine has gained popularity as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and pain. Individuals close to Perry informed investigators that he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy before his death and was under the care of at least two doctors, according to The Associated Press.
Milgram underscored the betrayal Perry experienced at the hands of those who should have helped him. “The desperation that led Perry to these individuals was not met with the care he deserved. This betrayal of trust is central to this tragedy,” she said. “Perhaps this case will help prevent future tragedies and save lives.”
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Perry’s death shocked many, as he was widely beloved for his role on “Friends” from 1994 to 2004, alongside Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow. The cast released a joint statement expressing their devastation at Perry’s passing, describing themselves as more than just castmates, but a family. They added that while there is much to say, they are taking time to grieve and process the “unfathomable loss” and will speak more in due course. Their thoughts and love remain with Perry’s family, friends, and fans around the world.
In May, Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Scot Williams confirmed to CNN that the investigation into Perry’s death was ongoing and criminal in nature. Authorities are continuing to investigate how Perry obtained the drugs and who supplied them, with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Postal Inspection Service also involved in the case.
During the press conference, both Estrada and LA Police Chief Dominic Choi rejected the notion that the investigation received special attention due to Perry’s fame. “Every victim’s life counts,” Estrada emphasized.