A personal assistant to the late actor Matthew Perry, along with two doctors and two other individuals, have been charged with supplying the doses of ketamine that led to his death on October 28, when his body was found at his Los Angeles home, reportedly drowned.
According to the New York Times, federal court documents in California reveal that prosecutors allege the assistant and an acquaintance "collaborated with two doctors and a drug dealer to obtain tens of thousands of dollars' worth of ketamine for Perry, who had long struggled with substance abuse and addiction."
The beloved Chandler Bing from the series Friends was found floating face down in a jacuzzi at his residence. After a thorough investigation, the local medical examiner's office determined that the actor had died from the "acute effects of ketamine."
Shocking Details Revealed in Court
"On the day Matthew Perry died, his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, administered his first injection of ketamine around 8:30 am," the newspaper reports. Approximately four hours later, while the actor was watching a movie, the assistant gave him another injection, and just 40 minutes after that, Perry requested another dose, according to Iwamasa, who has signed a plea agreement.
Regarding the final instance, the assistant recounted that Perry asked him, "Shoot me a big one," and requested that he prepare his jacuzzi.
Court documents indicate that Iwamasa injected Perry with at least 27 doses of ketamine in the five days preceding his death. Both he and the other accused used coded language to discuss transactions of the anesthetic, referring to it as "Dr. Pepper" or "cans."
The indictment, filed in federal court on Wednesday, also implicates Jasveen Sangha, a 41-year-old woman from North Hollywood, Los Angeles, who prosecutors claim "has been distributing ketamine and other illegal drugs from her operations center" since at least 2019. Known as "the Ketamine Queen," she reportedly dealt "exclusively with high-profile individuals and celebrities."
Another accused individual is Dr. Salvador Plasencia, an emergency room physician who supplied ketamine to Matthew Perry. Also implicated is Dr. Mark Chavez, who admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia and has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute the substance.
The indictment details that on one occasion, Plasencia texted Chavez about selling ketamine to Perry, writing: "I wonder how much this fool will pay" and "Let's find out."
The fifth individual arrested is an acquaintance of the actor, Erik Fleming, who admitted his guilt for "conspiracy to distribute ketamine" and facilitating up to 50 vials to Iwamasa.
If convicted, the five accused face sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment in the case of the dealer Jasveen Sangha.
"They exploited Mr. Perry's addiction issues for financial gain. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They cared more about profiting off Mr. Perry than about his well-being," said Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, in a press conference. "We are sending a clear message. If you are in the business of selling dangerous drugs, we will hold you accountable for the deaths you cause," he emphasized.
Key Questions About Matthew Perry's Tragic Ketamine Overdose
In light of the recent charges related to Matthew Perry's death, several important questions have arisen. Here, we address some of the most pressing queries about the case.
Who are the individuals charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death?
The individuals charged include Matthew Perry's personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, two doctors (Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez), a drug dealer Jasveen Sangha, and an acquaintance Erik Fleming.
What was the cause of Matthew Perry's death?
Matthew Perry died from the acute effects of ketamine, which was administered to him in multiple doses over a period of days.
How long had Matthew Perry struggled with substance abuse?
Matthew Perry had a long history of battling substance abuse and addiction issues.
What penalties do the accused face if convicted?
If found guilty, the accused face penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, depending on the severity of their involvement.