Five people have been charged in connection with the death of Hollywood star Matthew Perry, who was found dead in a jacuzzi on October 28, 2023, according to AFP.
BBC reported authorities revealed that the investigation uncovered a “wide criminal network” of ketamine suppliers that provided the drug to Perry and others. The organization reportedly “exploited” Perry’s addiction issues.
The British outlet reported that two doctors worked with others to distribute ketamine to Matthew Perry over two months, from September to October 2023. They allegedly supplied around 20 vials of ketamine to the actor in exchange for $55,000 in cash.
The charges issued by the Department of Justice involved five people in total: Iwamassa, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Jasveen Sangha (who authorities said is known as “the ketamine queen”), another doctor by the name of Mark Chavez, and an acquaintance of Perry’s named Erik Fleming. Plasencia and Sangha are the primary defendants out of the five, authorities shared.
Martin Estrada, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, stated that during the investigation, 80 vials of ketamine, along with cocaine and pills, were found.
The 54-year-old was found dead in his jacuzzi on October 28, 2023. After conducting an autopsy, the Los Angeles coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be a ketamine overdose.
The actor was open about how addiction impacted his life in his memoir “Friends”, “Lovers”, and the “Big Terrible Thing” (2022).
Perry reportedly used ketamine as a treatment for his addiction, depression, and anxiety. The star candidly discussed how addiction affected his life in his memoir.
In May of this year, the Los Angeles police announced they were working with federal authorities to investigate the source of Matthew’s ketamine.
His last treatment was a week before his death, with the coroner noting that the ketamine “could not have come from this treatment” due to its short duration in the human body.
with information from thedailybeast.com
