Los Angeles, CA – Federal charges have been filed against five individuals linked to the death of beloved actor Matthew Perry, who fell victim to a fatal dose of ketamine. The announcement was made by authorities in Los Angeles on Thursday following an extensive investigation into a clandestine network of drug suppliers.
Among the accused are two physicians, Perry’s personal assistant, and a dealer known as “The Ketamine Queen.” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada described the accused as exploiting Perry’s long-standing battles with addiction. “They were fully aware of the wrongful nature of their actions,” he said during a press conference.
Three out of the five indicted have entered plea deals. The remaining two, Dr. Salvador Plasencia from Santa Monica and Jasveen Sangha, were formally indicted on Wednesday. Estrada detailed Sangha’s operations as resembling “a drug-selling emporium” run out of her residence.
During his arraignment, Plasencia pled not guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute ketamine and falsification of documents pertinent to the federal probe. He has been released on a $100,000 unsecured bond and relinquished his license to prescribe controlled substances. His trial is slated for October 8. In a similar vein, Sangha faces multiple drug-related charges, including possession and distribution of methamphetamine and ketamine. She has been detained without bond due to perceived flight risks, exacerbated by her dual nationality and history of regular international travel.
Perry, famed for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends,” died in October 2023 at the age of 54. Officials ruled his death was a result of acute ketamine effects and subsequent drowning in his home’s jacuzzi. The involvement of Perry’s assistant and the doctors unfolded over the months preceding his untimely death, with the drugs purportedly being provided in unmarked vials.
During the investigation, it emerged that Perry, a recovering addict, might have relapsed into addiction in the months prior to his death. His vulnerability was purportedly exploited by those charged, with Plasencia allegedly seeing it as an opportunity to profit, evidenced by disparaging text messages about Perry’s dependence.
Perry’s struggles with addiction were well documented, including in his 2022 memoir where he described an escalating dependence on prescription pills following a 1997 jet-ski accident during a movie shoot. He detailed his fluctuating health and appearance, particularly during his time on “Friends,” attributing his visible weight loss to his intense drug use.
The legal repercussions of Perry’s death engage not just those directly involved but also tap into broader issues of ethical medical practice and the responsibilities of medical professionals. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram commented on the deep betrayal of trust that highlighted the case, proposing that this tragic event should serve as a cautionary tale and potentially save lives in the future.
The death of Matthew Perry shocked not only his worldwide fan base but also his close circle, including his former “Friends” castmates, who expressed their profound devastation and loss. They described Perry as more than a colleague but as family, reflecting the deep personal connections forged over their years together on screen.