Five Arrested In Connection With "Friends" Star Matthew Perry's Death
Five individuals have been charged in connection with the drug-related death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry, who died in October 2023.
The group, which includes two doctors and Perry’s personal assistant, is accused of being part of an underground criminal network that supplied the actor with lethal doses of ketamine.
Perry, 54, was found dead in his Los Angeles home after what a coroner later confirmed was an overdose of ketamine, a powerful anaesthetic known for its use in both medical settings and as a recreational drug.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that the investigation into Perry's death uncovered a criminal ring that exploited the actor's history of substance abuse for profit.
"Ketamine Queen" Among Those Arrested For Involvement In Perry's Death
Among those charged is Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who allegedly provided Perry with ketamine "outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose." Plasencia is accused of working alongside Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and another doctor, Mark Chavez, to supply Perry with the drug. Plasencia even referred to Perry in a text message as a "moron" and discussed how much the actor would be willing to pay for the drugs.
The investigation found that Perry paid around $55,000 in cash for 20 vials of ketamine over two months leading up to his death.
The illegal operation also involved Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," who allegedly sold Perry the batch that killed him. Sangha, along with Plasencia, was arrested on Thursday and has pleaded not guilty.
Eric Fleming, another key figure, admitted to distributing the ketamine that killed Perry. Fleming and Iwamasa, who lived with Perry, both pleaded guilty to their roles in the actor's death. Iwamasa confessed to injecting Perry with ketamine multiple times on the day he died, at the actor's request, without proper medical oversight.
Authorities claim that the defendants were well aware of the dangers associated with ketamine, especially given Perry’s known struggles with addiction. Despite this, they continued to supply him with the drug, leading to his fatal overdose.
Perry's death was officially ruled as accidental, with contributing factors including coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
The legal consequences for those involved could be severe. Plasencia faces up to 120 years in prison if convicted on all charges, while Sangha could be sentenced to life. Chavez, Fleming, and Iwamasa have already entered plea agreements, with potential sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years.
Perry’s family expressed their heartbreak over his death but acknowledged that the serious investigation by law enforcement offers some comfort as they await justice.
Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic sitcom "Friends," had long been open about his battles with addiction, making his tragic death all the more poignant for his fans and loved ones.
