Authorities announced on Thursday, Aug. 15 that five people have been charged in connection with the death of Matthew Perry. Perry died on Oct. 28 at age 54 from an accidental drug overdose, with an autopsy report stating that the ‘Friends’ actor passed away from acute effects of ketamine. Other contributing factors included drowning, coronary artery disease and effects from buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Per NBC News, two of the suspects are doctors, and one was Perry’s personal assistant.
The Department of Justice announced that the first two defendants in the case are Jasveen Sangha (referred to as “The Ketamine Queen”) and Dr. Salvador Plascencia. United States Attorney Martin Estrada shared that Sangha is facing one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine Plascencia, a licensed physician, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, Erik Fleming and Dr. Mark Chavez were also charged separately in connection with the actor’s death. Iwamasa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, with the DOJ press release stating that he “repeatedly” injected Perry with ketamine “without medical training, including performing multiple injections on Perry on October 28, 2023 – the day Perry died.” Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Chavez will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Estrada said during a press conference that the investigation into Perry’s death revealed a “broad underground criminal network responsible for delivering a large quantity of ketamine to Matthew Perry and others,” adding that it was discovered that Perry fell back into addiction in Fall 2023. Said Estrada: “in the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well being.”
The Los Angeles Police Department began an investigation into the star’s death in May. An investigative source with the LAPD said at the time that the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. postal inspectors were also involved in the investigation.
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