The late actor's obsession with a type of drug led to his death, and five individuals have been arrested for their alleged roles in supplying the actor with the drug.
- August 16, 2024
AceShowbiz - Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing in the sitcom "Friends", died from an overdose of ketamine in October of last year. His death sparked an investigation that has since resulted in the arrests of five individuals.
According to a close friend of Perry's, the actor had become obsessed with the therapeutic benefits of ketamine and had planned to set up a business selling the drug. Perry had befriended an unknown man with whom he intended to partner in the venture.
An autopsy conducted by the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office determined that Perry's death was caused primarily by ketamine. However, the autopsy also found that drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine contributed to his death.
Multiple arrests were made following the investigation into Perry's death. Those arrested include Perry's assistant, Kenny Iwamasa; Jasveen Sangha, a woman allegedly known as the "Ketamine Queen"; and two doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez. An acquaintance of Perry's, Erik Fleming, was also arrested.
Law enforcement sources allege that the two doctors and several dealers helped arrange and deliver ketamine to Perry. Search warrants were executed by the LAPD, DEA, and US Postal Service, resulting in the seizure of computers, phones, and other electronic equipment to determine who supplied Perry with the illegally obtained ketamine.
The New York Times reports that prosecutors have indicted Perry's personal assistant, Iwamasa; an acquaintance, Fleming; and Chavez on charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine, to which all three have pleaded guilty. According to the indictment, Sangha maintained a stash house in North Hollywood where she stored, packaged, and distributed narcotics, including ketamine and methamphetamine.
