Federal and local law enforcement officials have announced multiple arrests in connection to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry. U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Martin Estrada, revealed that five defendants, including two doctors, were arrested and charged with multiple counts during a live press conference.
Perry, known for his role in 'Friends,' tragically passed away on October 28 after an apparent drowning in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles. The defendants arrested include Jasveen Sangha, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, Eric Fleming, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Dr. Mark Chavez.
The arrests were made in relation to the distribution of ketamine to Perry. It was disclosed that Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, was involved in obtaining and distributing the drug to the actor. Iwamasa admitted to injecting Perry with ketamine without medical training, including on the day of Perry's death.
Following the arrests, Iwamasa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death. Sangha and Plasencia face charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, among other offenses. Fleming admitted to distributing the ketamine that led to Perry's death and has pleaded guilty to related charges.
Chavez agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine as part of his plea agreement. The investigation into Perry's death is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the presence of ketamine in his system at the time of death.
Perry's autopsy results revealed trace amounts of ketamine in his stomach, with the cause of death attributed to the 'acute effects of ketamine.' The report also mentioned other contributing factors such as coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects.
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic drug with medical uses, was reportedly part of Perry's treatment for depression and anxiety. The autopsy indicated that the ketamine found in his system at the time of death could not be from his last known treatment, as its half-life is relatively short.
No foul play was suspected in Perry's death, and no illegal drugs were found at the scene. Perry was laid to rest on November 3 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
