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Matthew Perry, one of the most followed actors for his character Chandler Bing in the popular sitcom Friends, breathed his last in October 2023. The office of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported his death as accidental and being caused by multiple contributing factors linked to the acute effects of a drug, a dissociative anaesthetic called ketamine.
Contributing to his death were drowning and coronary artery disease, with the effects of buprenorphine, an opioid-like drug used to treat opioid addiction and pain. Perry was found unresponsive and face-down in the heated part of his pool. Responders started resuscitation efforts, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragic death of Matthew Perry led to charges for five defendants, including both doctors, the personal assistant, and a close friend who supplied and administered the illegal drug associated with the star's death. The last one is the very notorious drug trafficker known as Jasveen Sangha.
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Here's what was reported about those charged in connection with his untimely death.
Five persons charged over Matthew Perry's death: Who are they?
1) Jasveen Sangha, the 'Ketamine Queen'
Jasveen Sangha, 41, was referred to by prosecutors as the "Ketamine Queen." Her home in North Hollywood served as a distribution centre for ketamine that ended up killing Matthew Perry.
Sangha is charged with crimes, including conspiracy, to distribute the drug ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premise, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute ketamine.
Sangha's distribution of ketamine directly resulted in Matthew Perry's fatal overdose, according to prosecutors. Despite not-guilty pleas, Sangha remains in custody and could face 10 years to life in prison.
2) Dr. Salvador Plasencia
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, from Santa Monica, is a doctor whom prosecutors have referred to as "Dr. P."
He was arrested after the feds found that he sold ketamine using encrypted messaging apps and coded language. He had allegedly described the drug to his clients (including Perry), as "Dr Pepper" or "bots" in messages and was instrumental in delivering drugs to Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
Plasencia is charged with conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of ketamine and record falsification.
He has pleaded not guilty but could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for the charges related to the sale of ketamine and 20 years for the falsification of documents.
3) Kenneth Iwamasa
Kenneth Iwamasa, Matthew Perry's live-in personal assistant, confessed to having administered several injections of ketamine to Perry, including on the day he died. Despite having any formal training in medicine, Iwamasa was a deep participant in getting the drug and administering it to the late actor.
He has pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, which at worst could result in a 15-year jail term.
4) Dr. Mark Chavez
Dr. Mark Chavez of San Diego has pleaded guilty to supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine.
Chavez is a physician who runs a clinic treating and studying the uses of ketamine and acquired this controlled medication by submitting fictitious prescriptions for the drug to a San Diego pharmacy.
He then sold the ketamine to Plasencia, who sold it further to Iwamasa. Chavez agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and faces up to 10 years in prison.
5) Erik Fleming
A broker, Erik Fleming, is accused of purchasing ketamine from Sangha to resell it to Iwamasa. He provided 50 vials of the ketamine for Matthew Perry's consumption, including 25 in the days leading up to the actor's death.
Fleming has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution resulting in death, which holds a possible sentence of 25 years in prison.
These charges follow a detailed federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Matthew Perry's death, highlighting how devastating addiction is and just how dangerous illegal drug distribution can be.
His death was a great shock to fans around the globe, who still hold him in deep affection for his wit, considerable humour and presence he brought to the screen.
