Authorities have charged five individuals, including Matthew Perry’s personal assistant and two doctors, in connection with the death of the “Friends” star.
According to International media, prosecutors have described the case as part of a “broad underground criminal network” that exploited Perry’s addiction to administer the powerful anesthetic ketamine, which led to his death.
US Attorney Martin Estrada announced the charges on Thursday, accusing the doctors of preying on Perry’s addiction in the months leading up to his death. Estrada stated, “They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Matthew Perry. But they did it anyway.”
Among the defendants is Dr Salvador Plasencia, charged with seven counts of ketamine distribution and additional charges related to falsifying records post-death. Dr Mark Chavez, a San Diego physician, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, allegedly supplying it to Plasencia through fraudulent prescriptions.
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Also charged is Jasveen Sangha, described by prosecutors as a drug dealer known as the “ketamine queen.” Sangha is alleged to have supplied the ketamine that contributed to Perry’s death. Plasencia and Sangha could face significant prison time if convicted, with Plasencia potentially receiving up to 120 years and Sangha facing a life sentence.
Matthew Perry, who was found unresponsive in his hot tub on October 28, 2023, had received several injections of ketamine from his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who discovered him and was the first to speak to investigators. An autopsy revealed that the amount of ketamine in Perry’s blood was consistent with levels used for general anesthesia, despite his previous legitimate treatment having been weeks earlier.
The investigation also uncovered that Matthew Perry paid substantial amounts of money for ketamine, including $2,000 for a vial that cost the physician about $12. In total, Perry is said to have paid around $55,000 in cash for ketamine in the two months preceding his death.
Authorities have noted that the defendants attempted to cover up their actions by deleting messages and falsifying medical records. The case highlights a broader issue of how addiction can be exploited by those in positions of trust.
Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on the iconic TV show “Friends,” had a long history of addiction struggles. His death has led to a renewed focus on the ethics and legality of medical practices surrounding controlled substances.
The case follows other high-profile drug-related prosecutions, including those of individuals involved in the deaths of rapper Mac Miller and singer Michael Jackson.
