1. The Tragic Fallout That Never Ends
Matthew Perry’s death in October 2023 rocked Hollywood because it felt so preventable. The Friends star drowned in his hot tub—not after a crash, an accident, or a vanity project—but from an acute ketamine overdose, compounded by multiple substances. Since then, the LAPD and U.S. Attorney’s Office have launched an exhaustive investigation revealing a sprawling network of enablers—from doctors to dealers to insiders—each playing a role in Perry’s final days.
The latest twist? Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the last licensed professional under indictment, has agreed to plead guilty to distributing ketamine to Perry in the month before his death. He faces up to 40 years behind bars. Let’s unpack every player, every scandalous text, and every reaction—because this isn’t just legal…it’s personal.
2. The Cast of Culprits: Who Supplied What to Perry
| Name | Role | Status | Charges / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Salvador Plasencia | Doctor | Pleading guilty | Distributed 20 vials, injected in car, taught assistant; faces up to 40 yrs |
| Dr. Mark Chavez | Doctor | Pleaded guilty | Supplied ketamine lozenges via fraudulent script; faces up to 10 yrs |
| Kenneth Iwamasa | Assistant | Pleaded guilty | Injected Perry with ketamine, including fatal day; up to 15 yrs |
| Erik Fleming | Acquaintance / Dealer | Pleaded guilty | Sourced street ketamine; faces up to 25 yrs |
| Jasveen Sangha (“Ket Queen”) | Major Distributor | Not guilty | Supplied vials including fatal dose; trial August 2025 |
A. Dr. Salvador Plasencia
Nicknamed “Dr. P,” Plasencia was Perry’s primary source for ketamine vials. Court documents show he referred to the actor as “this moron” and even injected him from a parked car. He also taught Perry’s assistant how to administer doses and falsified medical records to cover his tracks.
B. Dr. Mark Chavez
A San Diego-based physician, Chavez sent Perry ketamine lozenges using fraudulent prescriptions. He stole supplies from his former ketamine clinic and is now cooperating with the prosecution.
C. Kenneth Iwamasa
Perry’s personal assistant, Iwamasa was the one who physically injected him—21 doses in the final week, including three on the day of his death. His cooperation is expected to be key in other trials.
D. Erik Fleming
Known as a street dealer, Fleming transported ketamine from Sangha to Iwamasa and deleted damning text messages afterward. He’s pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute drugs resulting in death.
E. Jasveen Sangha (“Ket Queen”)
Sangha supplied Fleming and Iwamasa with roughly 50 vials, despite reportedly knowing ketamine had already caused a fatality in a different case. She is the only defendant to plead not guilty, and her trial is set for August 2025.
3. The Unfolding Timeline
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Sept–Oct 2023: Plasencia starts supplying Perry with 20 vials via Iwamasa.
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Oct 12: Plasencia administers an excessive dose; Perry reacts poorly.
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Oct 24: Fleming delivers new vials to Iwamasa from Sangha.
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Oct 28: On the day of Perry’s death, Iwamasa gives three injections—then finds him unconscious.
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Post-death: Dealers delete incriminating messages in a panic.
4. Celebrity Friends Were Concerned
Perry’s friends weren’t blind. Reports suggest close confidants suspected he was using again in his final months.
Jennifer Aniston reportedly checked in with Perry frequently after noticing weight changes and erratic messaging. Courteney Cox, during an interview, noted he had become “distant,” and insiders say Lisa Kudrow even offered to stage a quiet intervention.
David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc were also reportedly in touch with him just weeks before his death. While no one publicly accused him of relapse, sources close to the actor said the “worry was always there.”
5. A High-Stakes Legal Reckoning
With Plasencia pleading guilty, he becomes the fourth co-conspirator to fold. Sentencing dates for the other three are still pending, while all eyes turn to Sangha’s upcoming trial.
Expected sentences if maximum penalties are applied:
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Chavez: 10 years
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Iwamasa: 15 years
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Fleming: 25 years
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Plasencia: 40 years
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Sangha: Life in prison (if convicted)
6. Addiction, Ethics & Accountability
Perry was no stranger to addiction. He was open about his 15 rehab stays, multiple surgeries, and $9 million spent trying to get clean. He believed ketamine might offer an alternative treatment—but ended up as another casualty of lax medical ethics and shady drug networks.
The case underscores a larger issue: celebrity access to potent drugs through legal and illegal channels. For many, Matthew Perry’s story is not just tragic—it’s systemic.
7. Final Take: Justice May Be Coming, But It’s Too Late
Each guilty plea brings some form of closure—but also opens fresh wounds. Perry’s death now seems less like an accident and more like the final chapter in a slow-motion betrayal.
These weren’t strangers. These were trusted professionals, confidants, and insiders. And one by one, they fed him exactly what would kill him.
📚 Sources:
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Doctor Who Gave Former Midland Man Kenneth Iwamasa the Ketamine That Killed Actor Matthew Perry Agrees to Plea Deal (OurMidland)
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5 People Are Facing Charges Related to Matthew Perry’s Death. What to Know About Their Alleged Involvement and Possible Penalties (People)
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Matthew Perry’s Doctor Agrees to Plead Guilty, Facing Up to 40 Years in Jail (Vulture)
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Ketamine Queen Sangha Trial Scheduled for August 2025 (NBC News)
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Court Records and Sentencing Documents from U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
