This week saw a development in the investigation into Friends actor Matthew Perry’s tragic death last year from a ketamine overdose. Authorities on Thursday revealed that five people had been arrested and charged, including Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, a so-called ‘Ketamine Queen, Jasveen Sangha and two doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez. 

The charges include conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution resulting in death, and falsifying medical records.

Perry was best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing on Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004. He became a fan favourite thanks to his sharp wit and comedic timing on the show. Despite his success, he struggled with addiction throughout much of his life. Perry shared his battle with drugs in his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, released in 2022.

Court documents revealed, among other evidence, messages sent between the two doctors in which they discussed buying ketamine to sell to Perry.

In the exchange, Plasencia wrote: “I wonder how much this moron will pay”, the New York Times reported.

Perry’s case echoes the tragic stories of other celebrities whose deaths were linked to drug use with doctors involved. ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson died in 2009 due to acute propofol intoxication, with his doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, later convicted of involuntary manslaughter. ‘Purple Rain’ singer Prince passed away in 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, and his doctor was under scrutiny, though no charges were filed. Controversial TV star (and really one of the first influencers ever) Anna Nicole Smith died in 2007 from a prescription drug overdose, leading to legal actions against her doctors for overprescribing medications.