Five charged in connection to Matthew Perry's death as 'underground criminal network' revealed
LA police have provided an update on the arrest made in connection with Matthew Perry’s death.
In October of last year, the 54-year-old Friends star was found unresponsive at his home in Pacific Palisades, LA, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A post-mortem examination concluded that Perry died from the 'acute effects of ketamine', while also listing contributing factors that included 'drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine'.
It was confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that there would be a criminal investigation into the circumstances of his death.
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NBC reports that an arrest was made in Southern California today, also citing law enforcement sources.
The outlet said that Perry had been undergoing ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety, but that his last session had taken place more than a week before his death.
TMZ also reported that 'multiple' arrests have been made, saying several law enforcement agencies have executed search warrants and seized computers, phones and other electronic equipment.
Since then, LA police have provided a further update on the arrest made today (15 August).
United States Attorney Martin Estrada told a press briefing this afternoon that
five people have been charged in connection with Perry’s death from an accidental ketamine overdose last October.
The indictment issued by the Department of Justice lists the likes of Jasveen Sangha, who it says is known as the 'Ketamine Queen' as well as Dr Salvador Plasencia, as among those charged in the death of the late actor.
His assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Erik Flemming, have also been mentioned as co-conspirators.
Authorities announced that the investigation uncovered a 'broad criminal network' of ketamine suppliers who 'took advantage' of Perry's addiction issues.
Perry became famous around the world after starring as Chandler Bing in the fan-favourite programme alongside his five co-stars; Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.
In 2022, he opened about how Aniston stayed in close contact with him throughout the ups and downs of his addiction struggles and his subsequent sobriety journey.
"She was the one that reached out the most. You know, I'm really grateful to her for that," Perry said of Aniston in interview with Diane Sawyer back in October of 2022.
He also revealed that it was Aniston who was the first to confront him, during their time filming the show, when his addiction started to become evident to his fellow cast mates.
"Jennifer, she says, 'We know you're drinking,'" Sawyer said in the interview to which he responded: "Yeah, imagine how scary a moment that was."
"I should have been the toast of the town, but I was in a dark room meeting with nothing but drug dealers and completely alone," he later added.
LADbible Group has previously reached out to LAPD and the US Department of Justice for comment.
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Topics: Crime, Celebrity, US News, Matthew Perry
Rhiannon Ingle