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Five Charged Over Matthew Perry’s Drug-Related Death
Five individuals, including two doctors and Matthew Perry’s assistant, have been charged in connection with the actor’s drug-related death last year.
According to police, their investigation, initiated in May, has revealed an extensive underground network distributing large quantities of ketamine.
Perry, 54, passed away at his Los Angeles residence in October.
A post-mortem examination showed a high level of ketamine in his system, which was determined to be the cause of death due to the “acute effects” of the drug.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated on Thursday, “These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was risking great danger to Mr. Perry, but they did it anyway.”
Three of the accused, including Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, have already admitted guilt to drug-related charges.
Meanwhile, two others, including a doctor and a woman identified as “The Ketamine Queen,” were arrested on Thursday.
Ketamine, a potent anaesthetic, is sometimes used to treat depression, anxiety, and pain.
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After Perry’s death, close associates revealed that he had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy. However, the medical examiner noted that his last session had been over a week before his death, and the levels of ketamine in his body were consistent with those used during general anaesthesia, not from therapy.
An indictment filed in federal court detailed a complex scheme involving the procurement of ketamine, which prosecutors claim contributed to Perry’s death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, along with two doctors, allegedly facilitated the delivery of over $50,000 worth of ketamine to Perry in the weeks leading up to his death.
Prosecutors allege that Salvador Plasencia, one of the doctors involved, communicated about Perry’s drug use with a message saying, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Plasencia, 42, is accused of providing ketamine to Perry “outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.” He also allegedly instructed Iwamasa on administering ketamine improperly.
In the days before Perry’s death, Iwamasa is accused of administering at least 27 doses of ketamine, even though a previous large dose had caused Perry to “freeze up.”
Despite this warning, Plasencia reportedly left additional vials of ketamine with Perry and his assistant.
Additional charges have been brought against Jasveen Sangha, the so-called “Ketamine Queen,” who allegedly supplied ketamine to Plasencia with the assistance of Erik Fleming and Dr. Mark Chavez.
Both Sangha and Plasencia appeared in court on Thursday, with Sangha held without bond and Plasencia granted a $100,000 bond.
Both have pleaded not guilty, with trial dates set for October.
Prosecutors also accuse the defendants of attempting to conceal their actions posthumously.
Sangha allegedly instructed another suspect to “delete all our messages,” and Plasencia is accused of falsifying medical records.
Perry’s death was ruled accidental, with drowning listed as a contributing factor alongside coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a drug for treating opioid use disorder.
Perry, known for his role on “Friends,” had struggled with addiction throughout his life and had been open about his battles in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.”
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