How Doctors and a ‘Ketamine Queen’ Exploited Matthew Perry’s Vulnerability and Contributed to His Death, Prosecutors Claim
Matthew Perry, famed for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, fell victim to a network of individuals who allegedly exploited his vulnerability as a recovering addict. According to prosecutors, these individuals, including doctors and the notorious “Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood, played a significant role in supplying the actor with the ketamine that ultimately led to his tragic death.
Perry, who passed away at the age of 54 last October, was discovered floating face down in a standalone jacuzzi at his Pacific Palisades home. The official autopsy report revealed that Perry’s death resulted from the “acute effects of ketamine” followed by drowning. Perry had openly discussed his long-standing struggle with addiction in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. His addiction began in 1997 after a jet ski accident on the set of Fools Rush In, for which he was prescribed Vicodin.
Recent statements from U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada indicate that Perry relapsed into addiction last fall. Estrada revealed that certain individuals prioritized profit over Perry’s well-being, contributing to the actor’s demise.
Among those charged are two doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, who allegedly facilitated Perry’s access to ketamine. According to court documents, Plasencia saw an opportunity to profit from Perry’s addiction. In September 2023, just a month before Perry’s death, Plasencia reached out to Chavez after learning of Perry’s interest in ketamine. Plasencia reportedly expressed a desire to become Perry’s exclusive supplier and made multiple transactions involving the drug.
Prosecutors allege that Plasencia not only sold ketamine to Perry’s assistant but also administered the drug himself. On October 12, Plasencia reportedly administered a large dose of ketamine to Perry, causing a severe medical reaction that left Perry immobilized and unable to speak.
In the weeks leading up to Perry’s death, Eric Fleming, another individual close to Perry, procured ketamine from an alleged dealer, Jasveen Sangha, also known as the “Ketamine Queen.” Authorities claim that Fleming and Sangha engaged in attempts to conceal their involvement after Perry’s death. Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who lacked medical training, administered at least 21 shots of ketamine to Perry during the last week of his life, including on the day of his death.
Legal proceedings are underway, with several suspects entering pleas to the charges. Plasencia has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy and distribution of ketamine. Chavez has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges, while Sangha faces several charges related to drug distribution and possession. Fleming has admitted guilt for distributing ketamine that resulted in Perry’s death, and Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to ketamine distribution.
Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, expressed a mix of relief and continued grief over the situation. The Morrison family appreciates the seriousness with which law enforcement has handled Perry’s case and hopes that the legal proceedings will deter others from engaging in similar unscrupulous behavior.
This case underscores the severe consequences of exploiting individuals struggling with addiction and highlights the urgent need for accountability in such critical situations.
