Multiple arrests made over the death of FRIENDS star Matthew Perry in connection with lethal Ketamine supply

As per the recent developments in Matthew Perry's case, his assistant and two doctors are among the five people who have been accused of his ketamine overdose death from last year. Sources like The Guardian reported that a prosecutor announced the news.

This happened after a post-mortem investigation determined that "the acute effects of ketamine" were the cause of his death. Ketamine is a controlled substance Matthew Perry was taking as part of his monitored therapy as he was recovering from the addiction.

The doctor accused reportedly gave Perry a significant dosage of the substance, according to US Attorney Martin Estrada. It was also stated in a text message that the doctor even questioned how much the former FRIENDS star would be ready to pay.

Estrada further said that,

"These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyway. In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his wellbeing."

A news release from the US Attorney's office named the doctors as defendants, along with Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in personal assistant, and Jasveen Sangha, a suspected drug dealer known as 'The Ketamine Queen.'

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Authorities provided detailed information on the people arrested in connection with Matthew Perry's death

Matthew Perry opened up about his addiction (Image via Instagram/@mattyperry4)

Prosecutors reported that the two doctors and the personal assistant of Matthew Perry are among the five people arrested and charged in connection with his death. According to US Attorney Martin Estrada, two persons, including one of the doctors accused, were taken into custody on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was also accused of conspiring to distribute ketamine, according to the Times, which used an unnamed source with knowledge of the case. Additional charges were brought against Matthew Perry's friend, Erik Fleming, and physician, Mark Chavez.

Iwamasa is one of the two defendants who have already entered guilty pleas, and a third defendant has also decided to enter a guilty plea.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of the two doctors, is one of the people who was arrested on Thursday. Dr. Salvador was accused of seven counts of ketamine distribution and two counts of falsifying documents following the FRIENDS actor's death.

Jasveen Sangha, known as the "ketamine queen" by the prosecution, was the other individual arrested. According to the authorities, Perry died because of the ketamine Sangha provided.

Associated Press reported that later on Thursday, Sangha and Dr. Salvador might appear in court for the first time. This happened after the Substance Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles Police Department announced in May 2024 that they were conducting a criminal investigation to find out how Matthew Perry obtained the prescription substance and why there was so much of it in his system.

Regarding the same, Estrada said on Thursday, August 15,

"That investigation has revealed a broad underground criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine to Mr Perry and others."

He further said,

"This network included a live-in assistant, various go-betweens, two medical doctors, and a major source of drug supply known as, quote: 'the Ketamine Queen.'"

This took place following Perry's death in October 2023 from a ketamine overdose. Department of Justice said that on the day of his death, Iwamasa gave him multiple injections of the substance. Later that day, Iwamasa reportedly discovered Perry dead.

Matthew Perry openly talked about his addiction problems in the past. In an autopsy report from 2023, the Los Angeles medical examiner stated that the actor was receiving ketamine infusion therapy for anxiety and depression at the time of his death.

After his usual doctors declined to give him ketamine in the quantity he desired, the actor turned to the two accused doctors. One time, the actor spent $2,000 for a vial of ketamine, according to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.

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Furthermore, no other information has been revealed about Matthew Perry's death as of yet.