Fans of the hit television show “Friends” were shocked to hear the news that Matthew Perry, the actor who played the beloved Chandler character, had died at the age of 54. At the time, the cause of his death was unknown. Now months later, we know what caused Perry’s death and who authorities believe are to blame.
Who are the five people charged in Perry’s death, and how did they contribute to his untimely passing?
What Happened to Matthew Perry?
On October 28, 2023, “Friends” star Matthew Perry was found floating face down in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home. Authorities were initially unsure of the cause of death, but an autopsy would later deliver answers.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office Perry died of “acute effects of ketamine.”
Perry had long suffered from drug and alcohol addiction. He documented his story of addiction and depression in an autobiography that was released in November 2022.
To treat his depression, Perry had been using ketamine. Ketamine is an anesthetic with psychedelic properties that can be used to treat depression in a controlled setting under the supervision of medical professionals. When used as a therapy, ketamine is distributed in small doses.
The amount of ketamine found in Perry’s blood at the time of his death was much higher. It was at a level that would be used during general anesthesia, and it was determined to be the cause of Perry’s death, as reported by The New York Times.
Now, authorities are charging the people who helped give Perry the lethal dose of the drug.
Who Was Charged?
Five individuals have been charged in federal court in California for their role in Perry’s death, according to a press release issued by the United States Attorney’s Office.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, also known as “Dr. P,” a physician at an urgent care center, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
- Jasveen Sangha, known as the “The Ketamine Queen,” who maintained a ketamine “stash house,” was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
- Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in personal assistant, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
- Erik Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
- Dr. Mark Chavez, a former operator of a ketamine clinic, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.
How did authorities find five individuals to blame for the death of one person who was alone when he died?
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What Did The Charged Individuals Do?
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrad says the five individuals knew they were helping Perry abuse ketamine and putting him in danger, but they continued to do it anyway.
“We are not talking about legitimate ketamine treatment,” Estrada said. “We’re talking about two doctors who abused the trust they had, abused their licenses to put another person’s life at risk.”
The press release by the U.S. Attorney’s office accuses two doctors and three others of taking advantage of and enabling Perry.
In September 2023, Plasencia learned Perry was interested in obtaining ketamine so he contacted Chavez, who was operating a ketamine clinic at the time. In a text to Chavez, Plasencia said, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Plasencia began distributing ketamine to Perry and his assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. The distribution was outside the normal course of professional practice. At one point, Plasencia taught Iwamasa how to inject Perry with ketamine. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said the doctors were overcharging Perry. In one instance, Perry paid $2,000 for a vial of ketamine that cost one of the physicians about $12. In the two months before his death, Perry paid the doctors about $55,000 in cash.
In mid-October 2023, Iwamasa also began obtaining ketamine for Perry from Fleming and Sangha. Fleming would often pick up the ketamine from Sanha’s stash house and deliver it to Perry and Iwamasa.
Iwamasa was regularly injecting Perry with the drug. Iwamasa gave Perry at least 27 shots of ketamine in the five days leading up to his death and at least three shots on the day Perry died.
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Three Guilty Pleas & Two Pending Cases
Three of the five individuals charged have already pleaded guilty to charges. Iwamasa and Fleming pled guilty. Iwamasa faces up to 15 years in prison. Fleming faces up to 25 years. Chavez agreed to a plea deal and faces up to 10 years in prison.
Plasencia and Sangha have pleaded not guilty.
If found guilty, Plasencia could face up to 120 years in prison. If found guilty, Sangha faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Doors Open for Wrongful Death Case
A case under these circumstances could lead to a medical malpractice or wrongful death lawsuit. While no civil cases have been filed at this time, the evidence could lead to Perry’s family filing one or more lawsuits against the people named in the criminal charge.
Do you have a family member or loved one who was injured due to the negligence of a doctor or another party? Talk to a personal injury attorney about the details of your case immediately. Request your free consultation or call 813-226-1023 to review your story with attorney TJ Grimaldi today.
TJ Grimaldi joined McIntyre in 2011. McIntyre recruited TJ to create the divisions of personal injury and family law, as well as to expand the existing criminal defense practice at the firm. During TJ’s tenure at McIntyre, he has helped oversee and grow these practice areas. He continues to practice in these divisions while also expanding his own practice areas to include estate planning and immigration law. TJ is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.
