5 charged in drug investigation into Matthew Perry's ketamine death: DOJ

Five people have been charged in connection with the ketamine death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry, federal officials in Los Angeles announced Thursday.

Three of the defendants, including a doctor, have already pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in connection with this death, while two others -- including a second doctor and a woman known as "The Ketamine Queen" who is accused of selling Perry the batch of ketamine that killed him, were arrested on Thursday, according to the Department of Justice.

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said investigators conducted a wide-ranging investigation following Perry's death in October 2023 that "revealed a broad, underground criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine to Mr. Perry and others."

The lead defendants in the case are Jasveen Sangha, allegedly known as "The Ketamine Queen," and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a licensed medical doctor known as "Dr. P," who are expected to be arraigned later Thursday, the DOJ said.

The three others separately charged in the case include Perry's live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; Dr. Mark Chavez, a licensed medical doctor; and Eric Fleming, who admitted in court documents that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry, the DOJ said.

"These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves," Estrada said during a press briefing on Thursday. "They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyway."

Estrada said that in the fall of 2023, Perry, who has struggled with addiction in the past, "fell back into addiction, and these defendants took advantage to profit for themselves."

Plasencia is accused of distributing approximately 20 viles of ketamine to Perry in exchange for $55,000 in cash, Estrada said. Plasencia allegedly worked with Chavez to obtain ketamine and with Iwamasa to distribute that ketamine to Perry.

"Plasencia saw this as an opportunity to profit off of Mr. Perry," Estrada said, noting that the doctor allegedly wrote in text messages, "I wonder how much this moron will pay," and that he wanted to be the actor's "go-to for drugs."

As a doctor, Plasencia "knew the danger of what he was doing" and allegedly told another patient that Perry was "spiraling out of control with his addiction," Estrada said.

"Nevertheless, he continued to offer ketamine to Mr. Perry," Estrada said.

The other lead defendant, Sangha, is accused of selling 50 vials of ketamine for approximately $11,000 in cash over two weeks to Perry, working with Fleming and Iwamasa to distribute the drugs to Perry, according to Estrada. She is accused of selling Perry the batch of ketamine that killed him.

Perry died on Oct. 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was discovered unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Los Angeles home, police said. An autopsy report revealed he died from the acute effects of ketamine.

After his death, some of the co-conspirators allegedly talked about distancing themselves from the actor and deleting evidence on their phones, according to the indictment.

The defendants allegedly used encrypted messaging and coded language referring to ketamine as "Dr. Pepper" to distribute their drugs, according to the indictment.

The indictment alleges that the two doctors were the initial sources of Perry's ketamine supply, but at one point federal officials believe the drugs became too expensive and Perry switched to a new source, including Sangha, a federal source said.

Perry had high levels of ketamine in his blood, likely lapsed into unconsciousness and then went underwater, according to the autopsy report.

He was reported to have been receiving ketamine infusions for depression and anxiety, with the most recent therapy coming 1 1/2 weeks before his death, according to the autopsy report. However, the medical examiner wrote the ketamine in his system at death could not have been from that infusion therapy, as ketamine's half-life is three to four hours or less.

His method of intake was listed in the report as unknown.

The autopsy report also listed drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects as contributing factors not related to the immediate cause of death. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

Prescription drugs and loose pills were found at his home, but nothing near where he was found dead, according to the autopsy report.

Multiple agencies have been investigating in the months since his death, including the DEA, Los Angeles Police Department, United States Postal Service and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Perry was known for playing Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom "Friends," which ran from 1994 to 2004.

The actor's family, which includes his mother, Suzanne Morrison, and his stepfather, Keith Morrison, said in a statement Thursday that they are "heartbroken by Matthew's death, but it has helped to know law enforcement has taken his case very seriously. We look forward to justice taking its course."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.