Fans around the world were devastated last October, after beloved Friends actor Matthew Perry was found dead in his hot tub, due to an accidental drug overdose.
Today, it was announced that five people — including two doctors and Perry’s assistant — are facing federal charges in relation to his death.
Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his home in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles on October 28, 2023. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed his death to “acute effects of ketamine,” an anesthetic drug with some hallucinogenic effects.
Though Perry, who had some long and well-publicized battles with substance abuse and addiction throughout his career, had been receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, the medical examiner determined that it was unlikely the high dosage of ketamine found in his system was from prescribed therapeutic treatments. Perry’s last KAP session had been a week and a half before his death.
In May, it was announced that the Los Angeles Police Department was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration in an investigation into the actor’s death, aimed at finding the source of the ketamine.
According to TMZ, authorities executed search warrants, seizing computers and phones during the investigation.
This morning, several people were charged in relation to the case. According to ABC News, five people were arrested Thursday, including two doctors, Perry’s assistant, and a woman known as the “Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles.”
An indictment filed in federal court on Wednesday lists grand jury charges against Jasveen Sangha, the “Ketamine Queen” who maintained a stash house in North Hollywood, and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, an urgent care physician who worked to supply Perry with the ketamine, according to the New York Times.
Three others — Perry’s personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, acquaintance Erik Fleming, and another doctor named Mark Chavez — also pleaded guilty to counts of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced the charges this afternoon at a news conference. “These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong,” Estrada said, per AP.
“We’re sending a clear message. If you are in the business of selling dangerous drugs, we will hold you accountable for the deaths that you cause.”
The news has been welcomed by the late actor’s friends and family, who will receive some justice nearly 10 months after the star’s sudden passing.
“We were and still are heartbroken by Matthew’s death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously,” the actor’s family said in a statement, per NBC News. “We look forward to justice taking its course.”
Matthew Perry’s death was a heartbreaking tragedy, and we’re glad the investigation into the case has resulted in arrests. We hope his family and friends see justice in this case.
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