 "A makeshift memorial for actor Matthew Perry, the wise-cracking co-star of the 1990s hit television sitcom \"Friends,\" who was found dead at his Los Angeles home on October 28, is pictured on Bedford Street in Manhattan in New York City, US, October 30, 2023. File Image/Reuters")
The investigation into the death of Matthew Perry, beloved “FRIENDS” star, has unveiled a dark and intricate web of addiction, exploitation, and illegal drug distribution.
This probe has led to the indictment of multiple individuals, including Perry’s live-in personal assistant, two doctors, and an alleged drug dealer known as the “Ketamine Queen.” The revelations paint a harrowing picture of the final days of a man who fought a lifelong battle against addiction.
Watch:
Who are the key players in the case?
US Federal authorities have charged five individuals in connection with Perry’s death: Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s personal assistant; Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, both of whom were involved in illegally supplying drugs; and drug dealers Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” and Eric Fleming.
At a news conference, US Attorney Martin Estrada highlighted the defendants’ exploitation of Perry’s addiction, stating, “These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring about his well-being.”
The allegations indicate that these individuals conspired to supply Perry with ketamine, a powerful anesthetic that is also used recreationally for its dissociative effects.
Who is the “Ketamine Queen”? What is her role in this case?
At the centre of this criminal enterprise is Jasveen Sangha, a 41-year-old dual British and American citizen who allegedly operated a drug empire from her Hollywood residence.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsDubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” Sangha is accused of being the primary supplier of the ketamine that ultimately led to Perry’s death. When US federal agents raided her home, they discovered a staggering 79 vials of ketamine, nearly 2,000 methamphetamine pills, psilocybin mushrooms, and other illicit substances.
The indictment also revealed that Sangha kept detailed records of her drug transactions in a green journal, documenting the thousands of dollars she made from her illicit activities.
According to prosecutors, Sangha sold 50 vials of ketamine to Perry’s assistant, Iwamasa, in two separate transactions in October last year. Sangha first provided a sample vial on October 13, followed by a larger sale of 25 vials the next day.
A week later, she sold an additional 25 vials. Sangha reportedly went so far as to offer “ketamine lollipops” to Iwamasa as a gesture of goodwill for Perry’s large order.
How did ketamine impact Matthew Perry?
Matthew Perry’s battle with addiction was well-documented in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” where he expressed his hope to be remembered for helping others overcome addiction.
Perry sought ketamine treatment for depression and anxiety, but when his doctors refused to increase his dosage, he turned to outside sources, leading him into the hands of the accused. Perry’s autopsy revealed that he had 3.54 micrograms per millilitre of ketamine in his system, nearly three times the amount typically used for general anesthesia.
The medical examiner reported that the ketamine caused cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression, contributing to Perry’s death, which also involved drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid-use disorder.
At the press conference, Anne Milgram, Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator, summarised Perry’s final days: “Matthew Perry’s journey began with unscrupulous doctors who abused their position of trust because they saw him as a payday, to street dealers who gave him ketamine in unmarked vials.”
What is the legal fallout for the arrested?
The legal consequences for those involved are severe. Iwamasa, 59, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death and faces up to 15 years in prison. He admitted to injecting Perry with ketamine, including multiple injections on the day Perry died.
Fleming, 54, who also pleaded guilty, could face up to 25 years in prison. Dr. Chavez, 54, agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, with a potential sentence of up to 10 years.
Sangha, facing the most serious charges, could spend life in prison if convicted. Her charges include conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
What now?
Perry’s death has spurred a broader investigation into what Estrada described as a “broad underground criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine” to Perry and others.
This case has exposed the dangers of unregulated ketamine distribution and the ruthless individuals who prey on vulnerable people struggling with addiction.
Perry, who had been sober for 19 months at the time of his death, was remembered by those close to him as being in “good spirits” in the weeks leading up to his passing.
He had even quit smoking two weeks before his death and was attempting to wean himself off ketamine. However, the dark forces of addiction and exploitation ultimately claimed his life.
Also Watch:
With inputs from agencies