Five People Charged in “Friends” Actor Matthew Perry’s Death Case
Matthew Perry, best remembered as Chandler Bing on Friends, passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. The medical examiner ruled his death the result of “acute effects of ketamine.” In the months since, prosecutors have charged five people for their alleged roles in providing and administering the drug that ultimately killed him.
According to investigators, Perry was not surrounded by caretakers but by people who saw his struggles as an opportunity to profit. Instead of steering him toward recovery, they ensured his access to ketamine continued. Here’s what authorities uncovered, and who now stands accused.
The “Ketamine Queen” Who Supplied the Drugs
Jasveen Sangha had built a reputation that earned her the nickname “Ketamine Queen.” Police allege she ran her operation out of her own house, which they later described as resembling a drug den. Alongside ketamine, she is accused of dealing in methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit substances.
Perry / IG / According to investigators, the “Ketamine Queen” supplied at least 50 vials to Matthew Perry, including the batch that killed him.
Back in 2019, someone else died after using her ketamine. She knew the risks, but the money kept her dealing. Authorities say she charged Perry about $11,000 for the stash that ultimately ended his life. Sangha first pleaded not guilty but later agreed to a plea deal. She is now looking at up to 45 years in prison.
Dr. P’s Greedy Scheme
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, or “Dr. P,” was a licensed physician who found out Matthew Perry was interested in ketamine. Instead of warning him, he saw dollar signs. Investigators uncovered a text he sent, calling Perry a “moron” and wondering how much he could charge him. That text would come back to haunt him.
The doctor later tried to cover his tracks by faking medical documents. He, too, entered a plea deal and faces up to 40 years in prison for his role in the cover-up and the drug distribution.
The Assistant Who Crossed a Line
Kenneth Iwamasa was more than just Matthew Perry’s assistant. He was also the one injecting him with ketamine, despite having no medical training. He lived with Perry and became part of the daily drug routine, sometimes injecting him multiple times a day.
On the day Perry died, Iwamasa had given him a ketamine shot.
After Perry’s death, Iwamasa scrambled to hide what happened. But he pleaded guilty and is now cooperating with the investigation. His plea deal could reduce his sentence, but he still faces up to 15 years.
The Go-Between Who Supplied the Fatal Dose
Erik Fleming acted as the middleman between Sangha and Iwamasa, connecting the dots that led ketamine straight to Matthew Perry. Prosecutors say he knew exactly what he was doing and admitted to giving Iwamasa the ketamine that killed the actor.
He pleaded guilty and is facing up to 25 years behind bars. His testimony has been used to help convict the others.
Perry / IG / Investigation shows that Dr. Mark Chavez was the quiet player in the background. But without him, the others might not have had access to the drug.
The Doctor Behind the Curtain
Dr. Mark Chavez never met Matthew Perry, but he still played a part. He supplied ketamine to Dr. Plasencia through fake prescriptions and shady orders. Chavez used his license to trick wholesalers and ship out ketamine to people who had no business getting it.
Chavez has also agreed to a guilty plea. His involvement may seem more indirect, but prosecutors say his actions still helped create the chain that ended with Perry’s death. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
After Perry died, several of them tried to clean up their mess. They deleted texts, altered records, and tried to dodge blame. But the evidence was overwhelming. Investigators connected the dots, and now, all five have been charged.
Each of the five defendants has taken a plea deal, which means there won’t be a long courtroom battle. Instead, they will face sentencing in late 2025. While the deals may reduce some of their time behind bars, they are all looking at serious prison sentences.