Friends actor Matthew Perry was found dead in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles in October last year and his death was previously treated as an accident. However, an investigation has uncovered new information and has resulted in the arrest of five people including medical doctors, Perry's assistant and an alleged dealer US prosecutors have described as the 'Ketamine Queen'. Dr Mark Chavez has pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to distribute the drug ketamine to the actor, and could face up to 10 years in prison.
Dr Chavez's lawyer Matthew Binninger said after his first court appearance in August that he is 'incredibly remorseful' and is 'trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here'.
The four other people charged in relation to Perry's death are his live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, an acquaintance of the actor named Eric Fleming, another doctor named Salvador Plasencia, known as 'Dr P', and Jasveen Sangha, who is sometimes mistakenly called Jasmine Sangha online (resulting in Google searches for 'Jasmine Sanga' and 'Ketamine Queen').
Along with Dr Chavez, Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, causing death. He's also admitted repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including on the day he died. Meanwhile, Fleming has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Findings from the investigation detailed Sangha's alleged vast ketamine-dealing underground network, cover-up attempts and an additional death. According to prosecutors, they also revealed that Plasencia allegedly called the actor 'a moron' and charged him more than 165 times the drug's price. Both plan to plead not guilty in court.
Who is Jasveen Sangha, the so-called 'Ketamine Queen'?
The alleged dealer Jasveen Sangha, also known as 'Ketamine Queen' appeared several times in the investigation. She allegedly supplied the drugs that led to Perry's death on 28 October in 2023.
The 41-year-old is accused of selling 50 vials of ketamine to him for about $11,000 (£8,550). She has been described by prosecutors as a drug trafficker who knew the ketamine she distributed could be deadly. The US attorney for California's Central District, Marin Estrada, called her North Hollywood home a 'drug-selling emporium'.
During the search, it's been reported that more than 80 vials of ketamine were found, along with thousands of pills that included methamphetamine, cocaine and Xanax. A handgun was also discovered, according to Mr Estrada.
Who did the Ketamine Queen work with?
Ms Sangha's house was called the 'Sangha Stash House' in the indictment and is where she allegedly packaged and distributed the drugs. It is thought that most of her customers were rich and famous people. According to the indictment, she 'only deal[s] with high end celebs'.
Mr Estrada said the 'Ketamine Queen' was a 'major source of supply for ketamine to others as well as Perry'. Apparently as Perry's addiction worsened, he wanted more ketamine at a lower price, which led him to street drug dealers as well as the more 'elite providers', according to authorities.
What are the charges in the Matthew Perry case?
Mr Estrada says that those charged in the case 'took advantage' of Perry's addiction. In one message obtained by the court, Dr Plasencia wrote that he wanted to be Perry's 'go-to for drugs'. In another he wrote, 'I wonder how much this moron will pay?'
It is alleged that Perry paid them up to $2,000 for vials that actually cost about $12 a piece. Mr Estrada said, 'These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr Perry than caring for his well-being.'
Between September and October last year, authorities claim Perry purchased 20 vials of ketamine from Dr Plasencia for a total of $55,000.
Dr Plasencia also allegedly taught Iwamasa, the actor's live-in assistant, how to inject the drug, despite learning 'that Perry’s ketamine addiction was spiralling out of control', according to investigators. Authorities also claim the doctor provided Perry with more drugs despite witnessing him 'freeze up' on one occasion.
What happened after Matthew Perry's death?
Apparently, following Perry's death, the people accused of supplying him with the drugs attempted to hide their actions, according to investigators. They say Jasveen Sangha sent a message to another suspect saying, 'delete all our messages.'
Eric Fleming, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute drugs unlawfully, is alleged to have messaged Ms Sangha: 'Please call... Got more info and want to bounce ideas off you. I’m 90% sure everyone is protected. I never dealt with [Perry] only his assistant. So the assistant was the enabler.'
He also asked Ms Sangha, according to court documents, whether ketamine stays 'in your system or is it immediately flushed out'. Dr Plasencia allegedly falsified medical records in an attempt to make the drugs given to the actor look legitimate.
Was there a second death linked to the Matthew Perry investigation?
According to authorities, Ms Sangha was allegedly tied to another overdose death in 2019. Court documents state that she knew the dangers of ketamine after selling it to a customer named Cody McLaury, who died of an overdose after buying the drug. Authorities say Ms Sangha will face charges in that case.
How was Matthew Perry's assistant involved?
Perry's live-in assistant, Iwamasa, was the person who found the actor dead. Investigators say he was also the one who injected the actor with the ketamine that led to his death.
Iwamasa never received medical training and 'knew little, if anything' about administering controlled substances, according to court documents. According to prosectors, Iwamasa administered more than 20 shots of ketamine in the four days leading up to Perry's death.
He was charged in July with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and serious bodily injury. Prosecutors say he has since pleaded guilty to the charge.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, covering TV, celebrity interviews, news and features.