Five individuals have been charged in relation to the death of actor Matthew Perry in 2023, according to the US Attorney’s Office. The announcement was made at a news conference in Los Angeles, following investigations that reportedly exposed an underground network of drug dealers and suppliers responsible for distributing ketamine, which was linked to Perry’s death.
The accused include two physicians, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, and an individual identified by authorities as “The Ketamine Queen.” US Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized that these individuals exploited Perry’s struggles with addiction, stating, “They knew what they were doing was wrong.”
Of the five charged, three have reached plea agreements. The remaining defendants, Dr. Salvador Plasencia from Santa Monica, California, and Jasveen Sangha, who is alleged to have operated a drug selling operation from her home, were indicted on Wednesday. Plasencia has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and falsifying documents. He was ordered to surrender his DEA license and is currently on a $100,000 unsecured bond, with his trial scheduled for October 8.
Sangha also pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The judge denied her bail, citing her potential flight risk due to her dual citizenship in the US and the UK and her previous international travel.
Perry, who became famous for his role as Chandler Bing on the TV show “Friends,” died at 54. He was discovered submerged in a hot tub at his home, with an autopsy revealing death from “acute effects of ketamine” along with drowning.
During the press conference, Estrada remarked on Perry’s vulnerability as a recovering addict, noting that he reportedly fell back into addiction prior to his death. Authorities alleged that Plasencia collaborated with Dr. Mark Chavez to supply Perry with ketamine, while Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, is accused of injecting him with the drug, despite lacking medical training. Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to a count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and is accused of administering the drug to Perry on the day of his passing. Another defendant, Eric Fleming, also pleaded guilty to similar charges, admitting he provided the ketamine that led to Perry’s death, which he obtained from Sangha.
Estrada stated that during a two-month period, Perry received approximately 20 vials of ketamine at a significant cost. He highlighted messages from Plasencia indicating a desire to profit from Perry’s dependency on the drug.
Perry openly discussed his struggles with addiction in his memoir, sharing that he began misusing prescription medications after a jet ski accident in 1997. His condition reportedly worsened to the point of taking as many as 55 pills daily at one time.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram commented on the tragedy, expressing concern over the exploitation of vulnerable individuals like Perry by those in trusted positions, underscoring the agency’s commitment to combating the distribution of dangerous drugs.
Perry’s death was a shock to fans and colleagues alike, with the cast of “Friends” expressing their devastation over the loss, describing him as family. An ongoing investigation into Perry’s death had been confirmed by police, focusing on how he obtained drugs and identifying those responsible for supplying them.
During the press conference, Estrada reiterated that every victim’s life is significant and dismissed claims that the case was pursued because of Perry’s status.