It’s been nearly one year since Friends star Matthew Perry was pronounced dead at 54 after being found unconscious in a hot tub at his Los Angeles-area home. The original 9-1-1 call stated that the actor had suffered from a “cardiac event.”
Initial reports indicated that there was no methamphetamine or fentanyl in Perry’s system at the time of his death. However, due to the sudden nature of his death, a complete toxicology workup was ordered.
Two months after his October 2023 death, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office released the results of the toxicology report. It revealed that the Mr. Sunshine star had died from the “acute effects” of the powerful drug ketamine.
The report said that, in addition to the ketamine, there were other factors that contributed to Perry’s death — drowning and coronary artery disease. He was also found to have Buprenorphine in his system, a drug that helps those recovering from opioid addiction.
According to those who knew Perry, he had been undergoing supervised ketamine therapy. However, the amount of ketamine found in his system indicated that he was getting the drug through illegal channels and taking it without supervision.
Related: Actress Named in Connection to Matthew Perry’s Sudden Death
In May, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency launched a joint investigation to find out how Mr. Perry obtained the drugs.
Now, three months later, multiple arrests have been made as part of the investigation into his death. On August 15, United States Attorney Martin Estrada announced that two doctors had been arrested, as well as someone known as the “Ketamine Queen.” The doctors knowingly obtained the drugs for Perry and then tried to forge medical documents to make it look legal.
Related: Matthew Perry Wanted ‘High School Musical’ Star to Play Him in Biopic
Sadly, another person who was arrested due to the investigation was someone close to Mr. Perry, his assistant Kenneth Iwamasa. After his arrest, Iwamasa quickly pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, resulting in death.
According to reports, Mr. Iwamasa admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine, even though he did not have the proper medical training to do so. He also admitted that he had given Perry ketamine on October 28, 2023, the day that Perry died. Iwamasa was actually the person who found Mr. Perry in the jacuzzi and called 9-1-1.
Erik Fleming — the middleman who obtained the drugs and gave them to Iwamasa — has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Both he and Mr. Iwamasa face 15 to 25 years in prison. Their sentencing dates have not yet been revealed.
Dr. Mark Chavez — whose text messages helped figure out who was involved in the beloved actor’s death — has pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He faces 10 years in prison for his crimes. He most likely faces less time than Iwamasa because he did not inject Perry with the drug that would ultimately kill him.
Jasveen Sangha, the North Hollywood, California resident known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has not yet been arraigned. However, due to the extensive drug dealing accusations levied against her, she faces the harshest sentence. Ms. Sangha could serve as little as 10 years. It is also possible she could receive a sentence of life in prison.
The LAPD and DEA voiced their disgust with those arrested for their involvement in Perry’s death. Two of the doctors called Perry a “moron” and joked about how much money they could get from him. Perry had a very public battle with addiction. But instead of offering to help him, they preyed on him.
How much jail time do you think those involved in Matthew Perry’s death should get? Let us know in the comments.
