Five individuals, including two doctors and a personal assistant, have been charged in connection to the overdose death of actor Matthew Perry.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Los Angeles authorities disclosed charges against a group linked to Matthew Perry’s overdose, involving illegal ketamine distributions.
These included two practicing physicians and the actor's personal assistant, accused of supplying him with ketamine that led to his fatal overdose nearly a year ago.
The suspects are alleged members of a criminal ring that distributed ketamine. Among them is Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the "ketamine queen," noted for her role in the illegal trade of the drug.
Authorities are accusing Sangha of selling the lethal doses directly from a stash house located in North Hollywood.
She, along with Dr. Salvador Plasencia, denied the charges, pleading not guilty in a U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Matthew Perry died on October 28 after receiving multiple ketamine injections administered by his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. The tragic event unfolded in Perry's residence, with the actor found deceased in his hot tub, where paramedics declared him dead at the scene.
Investigations by Los Angeles police, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, revealed excessively high levels of ketamine in Perry's system, typically seen in general anesthesia.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada strongly criticized the actions of the involved medical professionals.
"They knew what they were doing was wrong," Estrada remarked, emphasizing the danger their actions posed to Perry.
The treatment Perry received was under the guise of medical care but was, in fact, a severe abuse of trust and medical practice. "We are not talking about legitimate ketamine treatment," Estrada clarified during a press statement.
Details emerged about the financial transactions surrounding the illicit drug dealings. Anne Milgram from the Drug Enforcement Administration highlighted that Perry had been significantly overcharged for ketamine, pointing to the greed motivating the defendants.
A text exchange between one of the charged doctors displayed a callous attitude towards Perry, with one message reading, "I wonder how much this moron will pay," showcasing their disregard for his well-being.
In the wake of Perry's death, Sangha reportedly conducted online searches about whether ketamine could be officially listed as a cause of death, suggesting a consciousness of guilt among the defendants.
The group also allegedly tried to erase their digital footprints by deleting messages and falsifying medical records, an indictment revealed. These actions were part of a broader attempt to cover up their involvement after the fact.
