As a seasoned investigator with years of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of dismay when I come across stories like this one. Matthew Perry, a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, lost his life to the cold, merciless clutches of drug abuse and unscrupulous individuals who saw him as nothing more than a cash cow.
In his 2022 memoir, Matthew Perry playfully remarked that the drug ketamine could just as easily have been named “Matty”, as it seemed so perfectly suited to him.
A quip that is nothing but tragic in hindsight.
On October 28, 2023, Perry passed away at his residence in Pacific Palisades. The Los Angeles County medical examiner concluded that his death was due to severe reactions to ketamine. His live-in assistant discovered the actor unconscious in the hot tub of his swimming pool, and both drug overdose and drowning were mentioned as contributing factors in the autopsy report.
As a die-hard fan, it was devastating to witness the untimely loss of Perry from every perspective. His youthful 54 years were cut short, and his adoration by fans, particularly for his iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing on Friends, was undeniable. But what really struck a chord with me was his past victories over substance abuse, battles he openly confessed about having come close to claiming his life on numerous occasions.
In his book, Perry expressed a heartfelt sense of thankfulness, saying, “Given where I stand now, it feels as though I’m overflowing with gratitude – I ought to be gone, but here I am miraculously alive instead.”
Besides this, he mentioned that during the year 2020, he underwent daily ketamine injections. However, as time passed, he concluded that this method didn’t suit him because the temporary relief it offered wasn’t compensated by how he felt afterwards. In other words, the significant relaxation it provided didn’t outweigh its aftereffects on him.
Originally recognized mainly as a street drug used for its mind-altering effects, ketamine has recently gained broader acceptance due to its application in unconventional treatments like managing depression and chronic pain when prescribed by medical professionals.
Which at first very much appealed to Perry.
In the book, he compared it to feeling like someone had whacked him over the head with a joyful spade. However, the aftermath was severe and far more intense than the initial joy of the shovel.
However, at the time of his death, a quantity of ketamine in his bloodstream was similar to that seen in someone who had received general anesthesia, as per the medical examiner’s postmortem findings.
It was eventually under scrutiny by the authorities as to how Perry acquired such large quantities of ketamine. In May, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that an ongoing criminal probe was being conducted, with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Service.
Five individuals, among them two physicians and the person who discovered him, were accused just a few days before Perry would have celebrated his 55th birthday on Aug. 19, in relation to his untimely demise.
During an August 15th press conference, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada disclosed that a prolonged probe uncovered a wide-reaching criminal underworld involved in supplying substantial amounts of ketamine to Mr. Perry and others. This network consisted of a resident aide, several intermediaries, two physicians, and a key drug supplier referred to as “the ‘Ketamine Queen’.”
Read on for all the details on the extensive legal fallout from Perry’s death:
Who has been charged in connection with the death of Matthew Perry?
Jasveen Sangha, often referred to as the “Ketamine Queen,” and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, known as “Dr. P,” were each accused of one charge related to conspiring to distribute ketamine, as stated by authorities on August 15 following their arrests.
In my line of work as a lifestyle advisor, I find myself in an unexpected situation. At 41 years old, I’ve been accused by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California of several charges related to drugs. Specifically, I’m facing one count each for maintaining a premises involved with narcotics, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and ketamine, and five counts for distributing ketamine. It’s a challenging time, and I’m navigating this complex situation as best I can.
The revised indictment claims that Sangha distributed ketamine on October 24, 2023, which led to Perry’s demise. Prosecutor Estrada informed the media that the maximum penalty Sangha could receive is life imprisonment.
In response to charges against her, Sangha has denied guilt at a federal court hearing and remains in custody without bail, as reported by the Associated Press. Subsequently, her lawyer refrained from commenting after court but jokingly mentioned Sangha’s “popular media alias” during a public statement on her behalf.
Beyond the whispers of a shadowy plot, I stand accused as well – a chilling symphony of charges that echo in my ears. Seven times, they level the charge of distributing the elusive ketamine, a drug that’s whispered about in hushed tones. Twice more, I face the allegation of tampering with and forging documents, all in connection with the relentless federal investigation.
According to Estrada, he could potentially spend up to 120 years behind bars, with a possible 10 years for each ketamine-related offense and 20 years for every record violation.
Plasencia has pleaded not guilty and a judge set his bond at $100,000, per the Associated Press.
After the hearing, as reported by AP, Stefan Sacks, his attorney, stated that Dr. Plasencia acted based on what he believed were the most ethical medical practices, and his actions did not reach the threshold for criminal wrongdoing.
The attorney noted, “His primary focus was on delivering top-notch medical care and causing no injury. Regrettably, harm occurred. However, it transpired following his engagement in the matter.”
Three others were charged separately and plea deals are in the works, according to prosecutors.
54-year-old Eric Fleming confessed on August 8th to charges including conspiring to distribute ketamine and causing a death through its distribution, as stated by prosecutors. According to the indictment, he admitted to acquiring ketamine from Sangha and supplying it to Perry via Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa.
Fleming is facing up to 25 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
On August 7th, Iwamasa confessed to one charge of conspiring to illegally distribute ketamine that resulted in death. According to the revised indictment, the 59-year-old admitted to repeatedly administering ketamine to Perry, even multiple times on the day he passed away, without any medical training. He is now facing a possible prison sentence of up to 15 years.
In the coming days, specifically on August 30th, Dr. Mark Chavez, a 54-year-old former operator of a ketamine clinic in San Diego, California, is expected to appear in court following an agreement to admit guilt for one charge of conspiring to distribute ketamine, as stated by the prosecution.
According to the charges against him, he confessed to illegally selling ketamine that was originally meant for his own clinic, and also acquiring more ketamine fraudulently from a supplier, with the intention of passing it on to Plasencia.
Chavez is facing up to 10 years in federal prison.
TopMob News contacted lawyers representing Sangha, Iwamasa, Plasencia, Chavez, and Fleming for their comments, but we have not received a response yet.
How did the defendants get involved with Matthew Perry?
Estrada stated that although ketamine does have some valid applications, it should only be given by trained healthcare providers and the patient’s condition should be constantly monitored. However, in this case, it appears that proper supervision was lacking.
In the chill of autumn 2023, when my life took a challenging turn and I found myself succumbing to old habits once more, these individuals seized the opportunity to line their pockets at my expense.
As reported by officials, it was discovered that Plasencia learned Perry was seeking ketamine. He then collaborated with Chavez to secure around 20 vials of this substance for the actor during September and October, all for a fee of $55,000.
According to the indictment, it was stated in September 2023 text messages from Plasencia to Chavez that he was curious about how much this individual (presumably a third party) would be willing to pay, and furthermore, expressed his intention to discover the answer to this question.
However, according to prosecutors, it was Sangha who provided the lethal batch of ketamine, leading to Perry’s demise. During a subsequent search of Sangha’s residence, Estrada stated, investigators discovered what essentially functioned as a drug retail store – a collection of items such as 79 vials of ketamine, thousands of pills (including various types), cocaine, numerous bottles of Xanax and other prescription drugs obtained illegally, as well as tools like scales and ledgers suggesting an intention to sell these illicit substances.
In a statement, Estrada pointed out that the defendants referred to ketamine as “Dr. Pepper” in encoded conversations. Furthermore, following Perry’s death, it was alleged that Sangha contacted Fleming and requested he erase all their text exchanges.
In my line of expertise, I found myself facing an unfortunate predicament where I resorted to altering medical documents to give the appearance of legitimacy in my actions. However, let me be clear, those actions were not genuine or valid.
Pointing out that his office was making a strong statement by bringing these charges, Estrada stated, “Every person’s life is valuable. If you’re involved in selling harmful substances, you’re essentially playing a game of chance with other people’s lives, much like the five defendants here endangered Mr. Perry.”
Why was Matthew Perry taking ketamine?
Although he openly disliked the hangover it produced, as documented in his autobiography, authorities claim that Perry, despite this, sought help for anxiety and depression at a clinic in the Los Angeles area. However, they allege that he eventually became addicted to intravenous ketamine during treatment.
At the August 15 press conference, LAPD Chief Dominic Choi stated that when the clinic physicians declined to raise his dosage, he resorted to questionable doctors, who viewed Perry as an opportunity to earn money swiftly.
Perry ended up paying $2,000 for a vial of ketamine that Chavez had acquired for roughly $12. The chief stated this. As his addiction deepened, Perry sought quicker and cheaper options, explained Choi further. This led him to street vendors who supplied the drug that eventually proved fatal for Perry.
How did the ketamine get to Matthew Perry?
In September 2023, when it became known that Perry wanted ketamine, Plasencia reached out to Chavez to acquire the drug for resale to the actor, as stated in the unsealed federal indictment by the prosecution.
The charges claim that the doctors colluded regarding their stock, pricing, and supply. Later, Chavez fabricated a prescription for a patient to get ketamine lozenges which he intended to sell to Plasencia. Additionally, Chavez deceived wholesale suppliers to acquire extra vials of liquid ketamine, as alleged by the prosecution.
In September and October of 2023, Plasencia is said to have sold ketamine to both Iwamasa and Perry on at least seven different occasions. Furthermore, according to the indictment, he also instructed Iwamasa – who lacks medical training – on how to administer the drug to Perry.
According to the indictment, aside from Perry, Plasencia is said to have administered injections on various occasions without adhering to proper safety guidelines. One of these instances reportedly occurred inside a car parked in Long Beach.
By October mid-2023, Iwamasa began receiving ketamine from Fleming, who obtained it from Sangha. Since at least 2019, as the indictment claims, Sangha had been supplying ketamine and other illicit substances from her North Hollywood hideout.
Essentially, it’s claimed that Sangha allegedly sold Perry around 50 vials of ketamine in October last year, with the price tag of approximately $11,000.
Who administered ketamine to Matthew Perry the day he died?
On October 24, 2023, in a state of uncontainable excitement, I managed to secure 25 vials of ketamine and an extra supply of ketamine-infused lollipops from Sangha. I then had the privilege of delivering this precious cargo to Perry’s residence, as outlined in the indictment implicating Sangha and Plasencia. That very day, Iwamasa administered at least six doses of ketamine to Perry, according to the charges.
On October 25th, 25th, and 27th, Iwamasa is said to have given Perry six shots daily, according to the indictment. Additionally, on the day Perry passed away, October 28th, Iwamasa allegedly administered at least three injections to the actor, using syringes provided by Plasencia.
2023-10-28 will forever be etched in my memory as the day I, a humble admirer, unwittingly became part of an extraordinary tale. On this fateful day, I found myself in the presence of Iwamasa, a man whose work I’ve long admired. In a turn of events that would make even the most mundane day seem extraordinary, Iwamasa confessed to me – yes, me! – that he had given Perry ketamine injections and administered multiple doses on our shared date. This shocking revelation was later confirmed by an indictment. Oh, the thrill of it all!
As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it this way: “My account starts with doctors who misused their authority towards me, viewing me merely as a cash cow. Later on, I encountered street peddlers who supplied me with ketamine in non-labeled vials.” This is based on the statement made by Anne Milgram to reporters on August 15.
According to prosecutor Estrada, the defendants prioritized making money from Mr. Perry over showing concern for his welfare.
“Matthew’s family, which includes his stepfather since 1981 and Dateline host Keith Morrison, expressed their ongoing grief over Matthew’s passing but found solace in the seriousness with which law enforcement has handled the case. In a statement, they expressed anticipation for justice to be served, praised the diligent work of the various agencies involved in the investigation of Matthew’s death, and hoped that this tragic event would serve as a warning to unethical drug suppliers.”
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2024-08-18 14:20