- Months after the actor’s passing, five suspects linked to him were arrested.
- An incriminating text conversation mocking Matthew Perry before his death surfaced, leaving netizens saddened.
- Weeks before his death, a doctor who administered ketamine witnessed him having an adverse reaction.
Five suspects were arrested on the morning of August 15, 2024, in connection with Matthew Perry’s death. Among them is a doctor who allegedly sent an incriminating text about the “Friends” actor before his death. The message received a negative response from fans.
Matthew Perry posing in an undated photo | Source: Getty Images
The arrests were made as part of a narcotics investigation into Perry’s passing which pointed to the effects of ketamine as the cause of death. During a press conference on the same day, the US Department of Justice revealed that investigations into the star’s death uncovered a “broad underground criminal network” that “took advantage” of Perry by selling him ketamine.
Among the suspects arrested were Kenny Iwamawa, Dr. Mark Chavez, Jasveen Sangha, Dr, Salvador Plasencia, and Erik Fleming.
Matthew Perry at Victoria’s Secret Phi Beta PINK party on October 18, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Califonia | Source: Getty Images
The Connection between the Five Suspects and Perry
In 2023, reports indicated that Perry had been living with his assistant, Iwamasa, in a Beverly Hills rental apartment before his death. The actor was paying $49,000 monthly rent while his Pacific Palisades home was being renovated. Imasawa, 59, lived with him there for a year.
Sources revealed that Iwamasa had managed Perry’s affairs for over 25 years and that he might have been the one who discovered the star’s body in his hot tub on October 28, 2023. Investigations further revealed that Iwamasa had been administering ketamine to Perry without proper training, which he is now being arrested for.
Dr. Chavez, a licensed medical doctor who previously operated a ketamine clinic, is reportedly being accused of assisting in obtaining the ketamine. Meanwhile, Sangha, known as “The Ketamine Queen” is accused of selling Perry the dose of ketamine that ended his life. It is believed that Iwamasa collaborated with Chavez and Sangha to obtain the ketamine for Perry.
Dr. Plasencia, another licensed medical doctor, is accused of distributing around 20 vials of ketamine to the late actor, while Fleming, an acquaintance of Perry’s and a “broker,” has already pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in Perry’s death.
Suspects’ Incriminating Text Messages
When news of the five suspects’ arrests broke, and investigations into their text messages were revealed, netizens were dismayed to learn about the eight-word text that Plasencia sent to Chavez regarding Perry.
Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry at the NBC Fall Preview circa 1995 at the Lincoln Center in New York | Source: Getty Images
Social media users who read the text messages exchanged between the two doctors involved in Perry’s death were vocal about their feelings. Responding to a publication’s Facebook post on the matter, one person included a crying emoticon in their message.
Matthew Perry during the “Men in Black II” premiere in Westwood, California, on June 26, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
The person wrote, “So the people who he thought and trusted were his ‘friends’ were not his ‘friends’ at all, so so sad.” Another added, “What a sad story of a man that had so much to live for.”
Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox Arquette during a party celebrating “Daisy Does America’s” premiere in West Hollywood, California, on November 29, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
A Facebook user, disappointed by how Perry was deceived, said, “This is just so sad.” Another reader shared that the news left them “Heartbroken.” The text message Plasencia sent to Chavez was part of an attempt to sell ketamine to Perry.
Mathew Perry plays The Match Game at The UCB Theatre on November 9, 2007, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
The US Attorney’s Office said Plasencia sent the text after learning of Perry’s interest in acquiring the substance. In 2023, Plasencia and Chavez texted each other while discussing the price they would charge the late star for the drug.
Matthew Perry at the Summer TCA Tour on July 24, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
While Perry struggled with his addiction to the substance, Plasencia allegedly wrote to Chavez, “I wonder how much this moron will pay.” He reportedly continued, “Lets [sic] find out.”
Matthew Perry seen on October 27, 2016, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
According to the indictment, during the months leading up to Perry’s death, Iwamasa waited for ketamine to arrive from Sangha. Four days before Perry’s death, Fleming allegedly informed Iwamasa that the substance was “on its way to our girl.”
The person he referred to as “our girl” was reportedly Sangha. When news of Perry’s death broke, Sangha allegedly messaged Fleming, urging him to “Delete all our messages.”
Authorities revealed that the five suspects tried covering up their dealings by using code words like “cans,” “bots,” and “Dr. Pepper” to refer to ketamine. Plasencia was reportedly aware that Perry was risking his life.
A Telling Incident Weeks before Perry’s Death
According to reports, Plasencia knew Matthew Perry‘s life was in danger due to an incident 16 days before his death. During a press conference, Martin Estrada, a US Attorney, noted that on one occasion, when Plasencia injected Perry with the drug, something concerning happened.
After injecting the late actor, Plasencia saw him “freeze up, and his blood pressure spiked.” Estrada revealed that the doctor appeared concerned and advised Iwamasa, “Let’s not do that again.”
The investigation into Perry’s death is ongoing.
