August 16, 2024 | Jesse Singer

The 5 People Charged In The Death Of Matthew Perry


We All Lost A Friend 

It was October 28th, 2023 when the world lost Matthew Perry. In December it was announced that Perry's passing was due to "acute effects of ketamine", and in May of 2024 the LAPD began an investigation into the incident. Then on August 15th of that year U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada announced that 5 people had been charged in Perry's death. They are....

Dr. Salvador Plasencia

Perry had been receiving psychotherapy, however the levels of K in his system were much too high to have just been from the treatment. Prosecutors claimed that the doctors, including one Dr. Salvador Plasencia took advantage of Perry's addiction—providing him with large amounts of the substancecared only about their financial gains. Plasencia was also charged with falsifying records after the actor's death.

Salvador Plasencia's attorney Stefan Eric Sacks speaks with the press outside the Edward R. Roybal Center and Federal Building following a press conference announcing arrests in the death ofPatrick T Fallon, Getty Images

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Dr. Mark Chavez

The other doctor charged, Dr. Mark Chavez, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.

UNDATED FILE PHOTO: Matthew Perry. (photo by Newsmakers)Newsmakers, Getty Images

The Assistant

59-year old Kenneth Iwamasa was Perry's assistant and the person who found him face down in his hot tub back on October 28th, 2023. Iwamasa, who has no medical training, would also inject Perry—including on the day the Friends star died. A week prior to the announcement of the charges Iwamasa pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy.

Matthew Perry looking sad at camera - 2009Featureflash Photo Agency , Shutterstock

The Dealer

Dealer Jasveen Sangha was charged with supplying the K that caused Perry's death.

Matthew Perry is talking and touching his face - 2003Featureflash Photo Agency , Shutterstock

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The Distributor

54-year-old Eric Fleming was also charged, and he pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and one count of distribution resulting in death. Fleming got the K from Sangha, which he then distributed to Perry.

NBC's Annual Winter Press Tour All-Star Reception.Getty Images

 


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