"Friends" star Matthew Perry's death probe uncovers alleged drug ring

Feds arrested five people, including Perry's assistant and two doctors, in the beloved "Friends" star's death probe. 

Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, Perry's long-time assistant, is accused of administering at least 27 ketamine injections to the actor in the five days leading up to his death. Prosecutors allege that three final shots resulted in Perry's "death and serious bodily injury."

Two physicians, Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, are charged with supplying Perry with ketamine at inflated prices. According to Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram, the doctors provided Perry with approximately 20 vials of ketamine for around $55,000 in cash between September and October 2023.

"Instead of 'do no harm,' they did harm so they could make more money," Milgram said at the press conference.

Also arrested were alleged street dealer Erik Fleming, 54, and Jasveen Sangha, 41, whom federal authorities referred to as the "Ketamine Queen" of Los Angeles. Prosecutors believe Sangha supplied the final, fatal dose of ketamine to Perry.

"These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong," US Attorney Martin Estrada said at a Los Angeles press conference announcing the charges.

Perry is the author of the tell-all book "Friends, Lover and the Big Terrible Thing," a candid narration about his drug demons. He was seeking treatment for his mental health when his progress took a nosedive, sending him back into the clutches of addiction.

According to the autopsy report, Perry had last undergone legitimate ketamine therapy for depression over a week before his death. When his physicians refused to increase his ketamine injections, Perry allegedly sought out Dr. Plasencia, who then involved Dr. Chavez in procuring drugs for the actor.

The indictment details text messages and encrypted communications between the defendants, including coded language referring to ketamine as "Dr. Pepper," "cans," and "bots." In one instance, Perry allegedly paid $2,000 for a vial of ketamine worth $12.

Just days before Perry's death, Fleming reportedly purchased 25 vials of ketamine from Sangha's "stash house" in North Hollywood. The transaction allegedly included ketamine lollipops as an "add-on" for Perry's "large ketamine order."

Perry's blood pressure increased, and he appeared to "freeze up" approximately two weeks before his death following Plasencia's administration of a "large dose" of ketamine. 

Iwamasa discovered Perry floating face down in the hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home on October 28, 2023. The actor's blood ketamine levels were nearly three times the amount typically prescribed, according to the coroner's report.

Sangha faces additional charges related to the 2019 death of Cody McLaury, 33, who allegedly died from ketamine she supplied.

Court records indicated that Sangha was apprehended in March in connection with a separate federal drug case but was released from custody upon posting a $100,000 bond. 

Fleming, Iwamasa, and Chavez have entered plea deals, facing potential sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years. Plascencia and Sangha are both charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, while Sangha faces a slew of other charges.

Sangha has also been charged with one count of maintaining 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.

Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to a federal investigation.

Perry's folks told NBC they are "heartbroken" by his death and "look forward to justice taking its course."