- Live Reporting (active)
Summary
Five defendants have been charged in connection with the death of the Friends star Matthew Perry
Doctor Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, also known as the “Ketamine Queen", are accused of working with others to distribute ketamine to Perry, 54, from September to October 2023
Authorities said police found a "drug-selling emporium" at Sangha's home, which included vials of ketamine, thousands of pills, cocaine and other drugs
Plasencia wrote in a text message, "I wonder how much this moron will pay"
Authorities say Perry purchased 20 vials of ketamine for $55,000 (£42,800)
The actor was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles home in October last year, with a post-mortem examination found the cause of Perry's death was "the acute effects of ketamine"
Live Reporting
Edited by Brandon Livesay and Caitlin Wilson
'Ketamine Queen', doctors and Matthew Perry's personal assistant charged over actor's deathpublished at 20:26 British Summer Time 15 August
20:26 BST 15 August
Image source, ReutersFive people have been charged in the drug-related death of Matthew Perry last year, police say, including two doctors, the actor's personal assistant and a person known as the "Ketamine Queen".
Police said the investigation, launched in May, uncovered a "broad underground criminal network" of drug suppliers who distributed large quantities of ketamine.
Three of the defendants - including the Friends star's assistant - have already pleaded guilty to drug charges, while two others - a doctor and a woman known as "The Ketamine Queen" - were arrested on Thursday, according to the justice department.
Perry, 54, died at his Los Angeles home in October. A post-mortem examination found a high concentration of ketamine in his blood and determined the "acute effects" of the controlled substance had killed him.
We're now finishing our live coverage of the update to this investigation.
- You can read a full wrap of what we learned today in this article.
Our team working on this page was Christal Hayes, Catherine McGowan, Jeremy Culley, Caitlin Wilson, Emily McGarvey and Brandon Livesay.
Thanks for following along with us.
Drug cases like this are sometimes hard to prosecutepublished at 20:22 British Summer Time 15 August
20:22 BST 15 August
Sam Granville
Reporting from Los AngelesSome cases like this can prove hard to prosecute before a jury because "when somebody chooses to do something of their own volition - take drugs and overdose - we tend to hold those people accountable for their own actions," Tre Lovell, a former prosecutor and trial attorney in California, tells the BBC.
It's sometimes more difficult to try these cases when "you try to hold other people accountable", he adds.
But, Lovell says there's been a big push by federal US authorities to go after drug dealers and doctors in hopes of preventing overdoses.
"They're tough cases", Lovell adds, but officials are cognisant that charges have to be "tailored to the laws" that would allow a conviction.
While Perry was conducting unlawful conduct, he's also a "victim", Lovell says and investigators have noted, "he should have been helped in regards to his addiction and not exploited".
Two suspects to appear in Los Angeles court todaypublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 15 August
20:18 BST 15 August
Prosecutors say two of the suspects, Dr Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, are expected to be arraigned in court in Los Angeles this afternoon.
Sangha is called "The Ketamine Queen" in the indictment and Plasencia is dubbed "Dr P".
They are both facing charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
Plasencia is facing seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.
Sangha is also facing 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.
Officials say Sangha sold the ketamine that ultimately led to Perry's death.
See AlsoInside Matthew Perry's last days: The 'ketamine queen' and the 'big one' in a jacuzziEuthanasia was Canada's 5th leading cause of death in 2022: reportIs CrossFit pushing competitors too far? Australian athletes question competition safety following death at 2024 gamesWeekly all-cause mortality surveillance (week 33 report, up to week 29 2024 data)Photos in indictment show drug vials and cashpublished at 20:12 British Summer Time 15 August
20:12 BST 15 August
Image source, US District CourtImage source, US District CourtImage source, US District CourtSuspect searched 'can ketamine be listed as cause of death'published at 20:11 British Summer Time 15 August
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The indictment against Jasveen Sangha, aka the "Ketamine Queen", alleges she previously sold ketamine to a man in August 2019, who died of a drug overdose within a day of the deal.
A family member of the man then texted Sangha: “The ketamine you sold my brother killed him. It’s listed as the cause of death.”
Within days of receiving the message, Sangha did an internet search for "can ketamine be listed as a cause of death".
Authorities say this confirms that she knew ketamine could kill.
'Delete our messages' - Police track defendants' textspublished at 19:59 British Summer Time 15 August
19:59 BST 15 August
Image source, US District CourtDuring the news conference, we heard how authorities tracked communication between the five defendants.
In one exchange, Dr Salvador Plasencia wrote "I wonder how much this moron will pay", in reference to Matthew Perry. Another of Plasencia's texts said he wanted to be Perry's "go-to for drugs".
In one text, Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen", referred to her ketamine source as the "scientist" and "master chef".
After Perry's death, investigators say Sangha sent a message to another of the suspects telling him to "delete all our messages".
Two days after Perry's death, co-conspirator Eric Fleming, Perry's acquaintance, text Sangha: “Please call... Gotmore info and want to bounce ideas off you. I’m 90% sure everyone isprotected. I never dealt with (Perry) only his assistant. Sothe assistant was the enabler", court documents show.
He also asked Sangha whether ketamine stays "in your system or is it immediately flushedout[?]”
What we know about the 'Ketamine Queen'published at 19:38 British Summer Time 15 August
19:38 BST 15 August
A name that was mentioned a lot by authorities during the news conference was the so-called "Ketamine Queen", Jasveen Sangha.
The 41-year-old has been accused of selling 50 vials of ketamine to Matthew Perry for about $11,000 (£8,550), including the batch that resulted in his death in October 2023.
She has been described by authorities as a drug trafficker who knew the ketamine she distributed could be deadly.
A search of her North Hollywood home uncovered a "drug emporium" according to authorities, and strongly suggested that she was supplying many other people.
The investigation into Perry's death focused on who supplied the ketamine that led to his fatal overdose, Sangha is one of five people charged in connection with the actor's death.
Perry's assistant 'knew little, if anything' about administering drugspublished at 19:30 British Summer Time 15 August
19:30 BST 15 August
Matthew Perry's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa “injected” Perry with ketamine on 28 October 2023 “resulting in the death and serious bodily injury", the indictment says.
Iwamasa had never received medicaltraining and "knew little, if anything, about administering and/ortreating patients with controlled substances", court documents state.
Co-conspirator Dr Salvador Plasencia was well aware of Iwamasa's inexperience, the indictment shows.
In the four days leading up to and including Perry's death, prosecutors alleged Iwamasa administered more than 20 shots of ketamine to Perry, three of those on the day he died, the indictment says.
Iwamasa was charged in July with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and serious bodily injury and, according to court records, had a change of plea hearing on 8 August, indicating a plea agreement had been struck.
Plasencia, Iwamasa, and co-conspirators Eric Fleming and Dr Mark Chavez were aware that Perry had ahistory of drug abuse and addiction, and that he had soughton multiple occasions help to treat his drug addiction and tomaintain his sobriety, the document adds.
Here's the latest on the charges filed in Matthew Perry's deathpublished at 19:13 British Summer Time 15 August
19:13 BST 15 August
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you're just joining us, here is the latest that we know about the charges filed in actor Matthew Perry's death last year.
- Five people charged: The five defendants include two doctors, Perry's personal assistant, and two other dealers - including a woman officials call "The Ketamine Queen"
- Broad network of drug dealers: Investigators say they uncovered a ketamine dealing network while investigating. One of the suspects, Jasveen Sangha, had 80 vials of ketamine and a host of other drugs in her home, which authorities called a "drug emporium"
- Perry's addiction: Investigators detailed how the actor's ketamine addiction led him from doctors to street dealers in an effort to get more of the drug and find it cheaper. Investigators say the dealers took advantage of his addiction, with one doctor even allegedly writing in a text message, "I wonder how much this moron will pay"
- Cover-up: Investigators said multiple suspects in the case tried to cover up their actions after Perry's death. Sangha texted another suspect, telling him to "delete all our messages". Dr Plasencia also falsified medical records, authorities said
Doctor injected Perry with ketamine in public parking lot - indictmentpublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 15 August
19:00 BST 15 August
On 10 October, weeks before Perry's death, defendant Dr Salvador Plasencia bought 10 vials of ketamine from alleged co-conspirator Dr Mark Chavez, which he intended to sell to Matthew Perry, the indictment states.
The document alleges that Plasencia met Perry and his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa - another defendant in the case - in a public parking lot inLong Beach, California, where Plasencia injected Perry with ketamine while inside of a vehicle.
Two days later, Plasencia injected Perry with a large dose of ketamine at Perry's home thatcaused him to "freeze up" and his blood pressure tosignificantly spike, the indictment says.
Plasencia told Iwamasasomething to the effect of: “Let’s not do that again,” but he still left additional vials of ketamine with Iwamasa for injecting Perry with, court papers say.
'How much will this moron pay?' - text from doctor charged over Perry's deathpublished at 18:57 British Summer Time 15 August
18:57 BST 15 August
Officials say investigation into dealers and Perry's death is still ongoingpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 15 August
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Though they have announced charges in Perry's death, officials said on Thursday that the investigation into his death and the suspects is still not over.
Reporters at the news conference in Los Angeles asked about links to other cases, whether other celebrities were involved and whether anyone else might be charged.
Martin Estrada, the US attorney for the California's Central District, said the investigation is still ongoing and said he couldn't comment or speculate on others potentially connected to the network.
'Ketamine Queen' was a major supplier - Estradapublished at 18:42 British Summer Time 15 August
18:42 BST 15 August
Image source, Getty ImagesBefore the news conferenced ended, Martin Estrada was asked how big "Ketamine Queen" Jasveen Sangha's network was.
Estrada says Sangha was a "major source of supply for ketamine to others as well as Perry".
He says she was likely selling to many other individuals as well but he refused to put a number on this.
Press conference endspublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 15 August
18:39 BST 15 August
The Los Angeles authorities have now finished their briefing.
Stick with us, we have some more details to bring you.
DEA: Suspects took advantage of Perry's addiction, charging him $2K for a $12 vialpublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 15 August
18:39 BST 15 August
Image source, Getty ImagesDEA Administrator Anne Milgram said Perry sought treatment for depression and anxiety.
He ended up turning to unscrupulous doctors who saw Perry as a quick way to make money, Milgram says. She added that without performing any medical evaluations or monitoring him, they supplied the actor with large amounts of ketamine.
They charged him about $2,000 (£1,555) for a vial that actually cost $12 (£9), Milgram says.
Suspects used coded language, tried to 'cover up' actions after Perry's death - law enforcementpublished at 18:33 British Summer Time 15 August
18:33 BST 15 August
Authorities say the suspects charged used coded languages in messages, calling ketamine things like "Dr. Pepper", or bots or cans.
Investigators are describing the "cover-up" they say the suspects attempted after seeing reports of Perry's death. Authorities say Sangha sent a text message to another of the suspects telling him to "delete all our messages" and that Dr Plasencia "falsified" medical records in attempt to make the medications look legitimate.
Perry's addiction led him to street dealer - authoritiespublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 15 August
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Drug Enforcement Administration head Anne Milgram tells the news conference that Perry's addiction eventually led him to a street dealer who sourced ketamine from the drug trafficker Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen".
Milgram says the drug trafficker Jasveen Sangha knew the ketamine she supplied could be deadly, and that it ultimately took Perry's life.
She goes on to say that Perry's desperation was not met with help but exploitation.
Suspect sold 50 vials of ketamine to Perry - investigatorspublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 15 August
18:31 BST 15 August
Authorities say Sangha, one of the people charged in Perry's death who is known as the "Ketamine Queen", sold Perry 50 vials of ketamine for about $11,000 (£8,550).
Investigators are saying Sangha sold the batch of ketamine to Perry that resulted in his death in October 2023.
The charges against the five defendants in Perry's deathpublished at 18:27 British Summer Time 15 August
18:27 BST 15 August
Five defendants have been charged in connection to actor Matthew Perry's fatal drug overdose last year. The charges listed by the Department of Justice are as follows:
Jasveen Sangha, aka “The Ketamine Queen": 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.
Dr Salvador Plasencia: One count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.
Eric Fleming: Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Fleming admitted in court documents that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry. He admitted to obtaining the ketamine from his source, Sangha, and to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa - half of them four days before Perry’s death.
Kenneth Iwamasa: Perry's live-in personal assistant conspired with Sangha, Fleming, and Plasencia to illegally obtain ketamine and distribute it to Perry.
He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, and admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including performing multiple injections on Perry on the day he died.
Dr Mark Chavez: A physician who has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He admitted in his plea agreement to selling ketamine to Plasencia, including ketamine that he had diverted from his former ketamine clinic.
Facts drove the investigation - police chiefpublished at 18:22 British Summer Time 15 August
18:22 BST 15 August
Image source, Getty ImagesLA Police Chief Dominic Choi says his department let the facts "drive the investigation" and it led them to the group who are charged today.
He thanks authorities involved for their hard work and diligence.
He also adds that this case shows that "you cannot get away with this regardless of your background or socioeconomic status".
