Where is the federal investigation into the fatal FRIENDS star – The Week

Matthew Perry died of a ketamine overdose on October 28, 2023, and a year after the tragedy, it remains an open federal investigation.

A year before his death, The Whole Nine Yards actor said he wanted to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well and was a seeker. He said he didn’t want to be remembered just for the popular NBC comedy series, but for his helpful nature.

He was found dead in the backyard jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home. The house on Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles sold for $8.55 million on October 26, 2024, two days before his first death anniversary.

Multiple overdose arrests were made after he was found to have high levels of ketamine in his blood. In a Los Angeles court, Dr. Mark Chavez changed his plea to guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, a surgical anesthetic. The ketamine pills were sold to Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who delivered them to the actor.

Chavez admitted that he purchased ketamine from a wholesaler and his former clinic using a false prescription.

Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, allegedly gave him an injection of ketamine around 8:30 p.m., and at 12:30 p.m., he asked her for another injection. Forty minutes later he asked for one more. After the third injection, Iwamasa left to run errands. When he returned, he found Perry “face down” in the hot tub.

Iwamasa and alleged drug dealers, including middleman Erik Fleming and “Ketamine Queen” Jasveen Sangha, attempted to cover up the overdose and dispose of the evidence. They also deleted messages they sent to each other on Signal.

Iwamasa and Fleming also pleaded guilty as part of the plea agreement, while Sangha pleaded not guilty. Dr. Plasenica, who purchased doses of ketamine from Dr. Chavez, allegedly taught Iwamasa how to inject the drug. Both Sangha and Dr. Plasenica will face a joint trial.