
Police arrested five individuals in Los Angeles in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. The suspects, including Perry’s live-in assistant and a controversial doctor known as the “ketamine queen,” were apprehended as part of an ongoing investigation into Perry’s untimely demise from an acute ketamine overdose.
Authorities revealed that Jasveen Sangha, referred to as the “ketamine queen,” and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, also known as “Dr. P.,” were among those taken into custody. Both face multiple drug-related charges, including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and falsifying records. Other arrested individuals include Perry’s personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, friend Eric Fleming, and another doctor, Mark Chavez.
Details of the Charges
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated, “These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong.” The charges brought against Sangha and Plasencia, aka Dr. P., include distribution of ketamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and falsification of records. Sangha has a past involving ketamine; she is also charged in connection with the 2019 death of Cody McLaury from ketamine.
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada at a Thursday press conference
The investigation, which involved the LAPD, DEA, and U.S. Postal Service, has focused on Perry’s procurement of ketamine. Perry, known for his struggles with addiction, discussed ketamine therapy in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.” He described the therapy as being immensely challenging but different from anything he had tried before.
Circumstances Surrounding Perry’s Death
Matthew Perry was found in the hot tub of his swimming pool. His death was caused by cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression resulting from a high dose of ketamine. Investigators found no other drugs or paraphernalia in his system or at his home. The ketamine level in Perry’s blood was equivalent to a general anesthesia dose, and other factors, such as his coronary artery disease and the presence of buprenorphine, contributed to his sudden death.
In the days leading up to his death, Perry was undergoing ketamine therapy. Plasencia and Chavez are accused of procuring large quantities of ketamine for Perry, delivering about 20 vials for $55,000. Disturbing text messages recovered by authorities revealed the involved parties discussing how much Perry would pay for the drugs and plans to cover their tracks by deleting messages.
“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong,” Estrada said
The actor sought additional ketamine from Plasencia after another clinic refused to increase his dosage. Perry’s assistant, Iwamasa, injected him with the fatal dose of ketamine using a syringe provided by Plasencia. Sangha, known for supplying Perry with ketamine and ketamine lollipops, instructed Fleming to delete incriminating messages in an attempt to cover her tracks.
Sources
- Matthew Perry’s assistant among five people charged in Friends star’s death
- Matthew Perry’s assistant, 2 doctors, drug dealers arrested in ketamine death