LOS ANGELES — Five individuals, including two physicians, have been arrested on charges related to the death of actor Matthew Perry, following an investigation into his fatal overdose. Federal authorities confirmed their arrests late Thursday, uncovering details around the events leading up to the tragedy. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner declared the cause of Perry’s death as the “acute effects of ketamine,” after he was found deceased last October in his home in Pacific Palisades.
Among the arrested is Dr. Salvador Plasencia, an internist, and Jasveen Sangha, who was referred to by acquaintances as the “Ketamine Queen of Los Angeles.” Both are being positioned as central figures in this case. The other three individuals apprehended include Dr. Mark Chavez, Eric Fleming, and Kenneth Iwamasa.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies underlined that Perry had relapsed shortly before his untimely death, despite a history of seeking help for depression and anxiety through ketamine infusion therapy. This therapy had reportedly cost him $2,000 per vial. When this professional treatment proved insufficient, Perry allegedly turned to underground sources to procure the drug more swiftly and cheaply.
The investigation revealed that the last known medical treatment received by Perry occurred more than a week prior to his death. The presence of ketamine found in his system at the time of death, however, could not be attributed to this treatment, according to the medical examiner. They noted that ketamine’s half-life — the time it takes for half of the drug to exit the body — ranges from 3 to 4 hours, indicating the drug was introduced to Perry’s system closer to his time of death.
Furthermore, the medical examiner’s autopsy report listed drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine — often used for treating opioid use disorder — as contributing factors in Perry’s death. All these suggest a complex health scenario aggravated by unauthorized drug administration. The manner of Perry’s death has been classified as accidental.
Legal accusations against Chavez and Plasencia include violations of their medical oaths, demonstrating a breach of ethical standards expected from healthcare professionals. This development emphasizes an unfortunate betrayal of trust placed in individuals expected to safeguard human health.
Additionally, authorities have executed multiple search warrants, seizing personal electronic devices such as phones and computers to trace the supply chain leading back to Perry’s possession of ketamine. This critical evidence could unveil a broader network of illicit drug distribution targeting vulnerable individuals.
As the legal process unfolds, these arrests have cast a spotlight on the shadowy intersections of celebrity, mental health struggles, and the prescription drug industry. This case not only highlights the personal struggles of a beloved public figure but also ignites broader conversations about accountability and regulation within medical practices and celebrity healthcare management.
Matthew Perry, age 54 at the time of his death, was celebrated for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit television series “Friends,” and his passing has renewed discussions on the pressures faced by those in the limelight, further complicating their battles with health issues. The community, fans, and officials alike await further developments in this tragic case, hoping for justice and answers to the many questions surrounding the circumstances of Perry’s untimely demise.