Matthew Perry's death: US Attorney reveals details and charges in ketamine case

Matthew Perry was reportedly struggling with addiction at the time of his death on Oct. 28, 2023, contrary to earlier claims that he had been sober for years, according to recent disclosures by law enforcement.

US Attorney Martin Estrada, who has charged five individuals, including two doctors, in connection with Perry’s death, stated in a press conference that investigators found Perry had relapsed by the fall of 2023.

“Mr. Perry fell back into addiction,” he stated, “and these defendants took advantage to profit for themselves.”

Estrada further revealed that Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a medical doctor, was aware of the risks when he administered more ketamine to Perry than necessary.

“In fact, on one occasion, he injected Mr. Perry with ketamine and he saw Mr. Perry freeze up and his blood pressure spike,” the US attorney explained.

“Despite that, he left additional vials of ketamine for defendant Iwamasa to administer to Mr. Perry.”

Kenny Iwamasa, Perry’s longtime personal assistant who had worked with the actor for over 25 years, administered the final ketamine dose that led to Perry’s death.

However, Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen” who illegally sold ketamine, are the primary defendants in this case.

They are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Plasencia also faces seven counts of ketamine distribution and two counts related to falsifying documents in the federal investigation.

Sangha faces one count of maintaining drug-involved premises, one count of methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute, one count of ketamine possession with intent to distribute, and five counts of ketamine distribution.

Plasencia could receive up to 10 years in federal prison for each ketamine-related count and up to 20 years for each falsification count, while Sangha faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, according to the Department of Justice.