Multiple arrests were made today in connection to the overdose death of late-actor Matthew Perry.
According to Fox News, United States attorney Martin Estrada announced five defendants, including two doctors, were arrested and charged with multiple counts.
The “Friends” star died on Oct. 28 after an apparent drowning in a hot tub at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles.
Perry was 54 at the time of his death.
Arrest made in Matthew Perry death investigation https://t.co/etHF49QR6R
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 15, 2024
According to the developing report, the suspects arrested are: Jasveen Sangha, 41, a.k.a. “The Ketamine Queen,” of North Hollywood; Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, a.k.a. “Dr. P,” of Santa Monica; Eric Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne; Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake, Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego.
Sangha and Plasencia are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha is also charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
Los Angeles Police Department officials confirmed to Fox News that the department was still actively working on the investigation.
“The Department has an open and ongoing investigation into Matthew Perry‘s death,” authorities said.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Los Angeles Police Capt. Scot Williams said in an email that the department was working with the DEA and U.S. Postal Inspection Service to determine why Perry had so much ketamine in his system when he died in October.
Perry’s autopsy results, which were released in December, detected trace amounts of ketamine in his stomach. His death was listed due to the “acute effects of ketamine.”
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug with “established medical and surgical uses,” the autopsy detailed. Perry reportedly received “ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety.”
Other conditions that contributed to his death included “coronary artery disease, buprenorphrine effects,” the AP report said. “Prescription medications and loose pills” were found at the residence.
“Alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, PCP, fentanyl were all not detected (negative),” the autopsy revealed.
“The exact method of intake in Mr. Perry’s case is unknown,” the report stated.
According to the Fox report, Perry’s last known treatment was more than one week prior to his death, but the medical examiner determined “the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less.”
No foul play was suspected, and no illegal drugs were reportedly found at the scene.
This is an on-going story. Check back for further updates.