U.S. prosecutors have charged five individuals in connection with the death of “Friends” star Matthew Perry. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced on Thursday that the group, including Perry’s personal assistant and two doctors, were part of what he described as a “broad underground criminal network” supplying Perry with dangerous amounts of ketamine.
Two individuals, including one doctor, were arrested on Thursday. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and another defendant have already pleaded guilty, while a third person has agreed to plead guilty.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia faces seven counts of ketamine distribution and two charges related to falsifying records after Perry’s death. Dr. Mark Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Prosecutors allege the doctors exploited Perry’s history of addiction, providing him with ketamine in amounts they knew were dangerous.
Financial records show Perry paid approximately $55,000 in cash to the doctors in the two months before his death. In one instance, Perry reportedly paid $2,000 for a vial of ketamine that cost a physician about $12.
Jasveen Sangha, described as a drug dealer known as the “ketamine queen,” was also charged. Prosecutors allege ketamine supplied by Sangha caused Perry’s death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, allegedly administered several ketamine injections on the day of Perry’s death. Iwamasa discovered Perry’s body and was the first to speak with investigators.
Prosecutors claim the defendants exchanged messages referencing ketamine as the cause of death shortly after Perry died and allegedly deleted messages and falsified medical records to conceal their involvement.
Matthew Perry, 54, was found dead in his hot tub on October 28, 2023. The autopsy revealed that the amount of ketamine in his blood was consistent with levels used for general anesthesia during surgery. The medical examiner listed ketamine as the primary cause of death, with drowning and other medical issues as contributing factors.
If convicted, Dr. Plasencia could face up to 120 years in prison, while Sangha could potentially receive a life sentence.
This case follows other high-profile prosecutions related to celebrity drug deaths, including those following the deaths of rapper Mac Miller and pop icon Michael Jackson.
An Associated Press story
