Matthew Perry Relied on Others for Ketamine, Leading to Fatal Overdose
Matthew Perry depended on several individuals to provide and administer the ketamine that caused his fatal overdose in October. During a press conference, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada revealed that five people, including two doctors, were arrested in connection with Perry’s death. Among them was Perry’s assistant, Kenny Iwamasa, who allegedly learned how to inject ketamine from Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who also supplied the drug. The ketamine was reportedly sourced by “The Ketamine Queen,” Jasveen Sangha, with the help of Dr. Mark Chavez and middleman Eric Fleming. Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani stated that Perry was exploited due to his fame, ultimately paying with his life.
Five Individuals Charged in Connection with Matthew Perry's Death Investigation
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani described how celebrities, like Matthew Perry, often have entourages that can be exploitative, comparing them to leeches. He explained that these people prey on wealthy individuals, taking advantage of their resources and vulnerabilities. Rahmani highlighted Perry’s well-known struggles with opioid addiction, noting that while he was trying to manage his addiction with medication, others exploited his condition for financial gain.
Specifically, Rahmani pointed out how Perry’s addiction made him an easy target for those around him. Despite his efforts to fight his addiction, he was surrounded by people who charged him exorbitant amounts for ketamine, further feeding into his struggles. Rahmani expressed deep sadness over the situation, emphasizing the tragic nature of how Perry was exploited in his most vulnerable state.
The indictment against the individuals involved in Perry’s death included text messages that revealed their cynical attitude toward Perry. In one message, Dr. Salvador Plasencia allegedly wrote to Dr. Mark Chavez, discussing how much money they could extract from Perry, referring to him as a “moron.” The text messages also suggested that both Plasencia and Chavez were aware of the harm they were causing, yet continued to take advantage of Perry’s addiction for their own profit. Despite being licensed medical doctors in California, their actions demonstrated a severe breach of professional ethics and contributed to the tragedy of Perry’s death.
Defendants in Matthew Perry Case Supplied Ketamine for Large Sums, Exploited Actor's Addiction
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada disclosed that the defendants in the Matthew Perry case had supplied the actor with ketamine in large quantities for significant amounts of cash. In one instance, they distributed around 20 vials of the drug for $50,000. On another occasion, the dealers exploited Perry further by selling 50 vials of ketamine for $11,000. These transactions were meant for Perry’s assistant, Kenny Iwamasa, to administer the drug to the actor. Iwamasa, lacking any formal medical training, admitted to repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine, including multiple times on the day of Perry’s death. On August 7, Iwamasa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, and according to Estrada, has already reached a plea agreement.
Jasveen Sangha, also known as “The Ketamine Queen,” allegedly operated a stash house in North Hollywood, California. This location was reportedly used to manufacture, store, and distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine and ketamine, both of which are classified under different schedules of controlled substances. Court documents revealed that Sangha had a history of selling ketamine and was implicated in Perry’s death investigation. Furthermore, her involvement led to an indictment for her role in the 2019 overdose death of Cody McLaury.
Eric Fleming, who worked as a broker between Sangha and her clients, played a key role in facilitating these illegal transactions. At one point, Fleming assured Perry’s assistant via text that Sangha exclusively dealt with high-end clients and celebrities, emphasizing that if her products were not top-notch, she would lose her business. This statement further highlighted how Perry’s addiction was exploited for profit, with those around him prioritizing financial gain over his well-being.