Matthew Perry’s Assistant and Doctors Charged Over Actor’s Ketamine-Related Death
The world of entertainment was recently shocked by the sudden demise of “Friends” star, Matthew Perry. Investigations into the television star’s death have led to the indictment and charging of five individuals, including Perry’s personal assistant, two medical doctors, and two additional people. These individuals are accused of procuring and distributing the powerful anesthetic ketamine, to which Perry’s death is attributed.
Linking Perry’s Death to Ketamine
Matthew Perry, who achieved worldwide fame for his portrayal of the character Chandler Bing in the hit television series “Friends,” was discovered dead in a hot tub at his Los Angeles residence on October 28, 2024. An autopsy performed by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office attributed the actor’s death to the “acute effects of ketamine.”
The 54-year-old actor had a public history of substance abuse and addiction, and his sudden death triggered a broad-ranging investigation including law enforcement and several agencies. The inquiries revealed an underground network that allegedly provided Perry and others with large quantities of ketamine.
A Network Allegedly Capitalizing on the Actor’s Addiction
The conspiracy involved a live-in assistant, business intermediaries, medical professionals, and drug suppliers. Among the accused are Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who allegedly administered at least 27 shots of ketamine to Perry in the days preceding his death. The indictment also implicated two doctors known only by their aliases, and a woman known as “the Ketamine Queen,” – Jasveen Sangha.
The Drug Transactions
According to the court documents, the assistant and an acquaintance worked along with the doctors and the drug dealer to procure tens of thousands of dollars worth of ketamine for Perry. The assistant is said to have given Mr. Perry at least three shots on the day of his death.
The indictment also stated that the accused individuals used coded language in their communications, referring to ketamine as “Dr Pepper,” “cans,” and “bots.” Confidential reports claim that conversations about the financial aspects of the drug deals were callous and unobservant of the actor’s struggles. One text message from a implicated doctor contained the phrase, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.”
Culpability and Charges
All the defendants are facing charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Three out of the five individuals indicted have currently entered guilty pleas. The announced charges are part of an ongoing attempt to combat the rampant drug abuse issues prevalent in the entertainment industry and to hold those responsible accountable.
The case is expected to shed light on the wider issue of substance abuse and the peripheral criminal conduct that enables it. It remains to be seen what the follow-up investigations and trials will unearth and whether it will lead to mitigating drug abuse in high-stress professions such as acting.
