An investigation into Matthew Perry's death uncovers evidence of manipulation by individuals in his close circle.

In October, Matthew Perry's fatal overdose was caused by a group of individuals who provided and administered the ketamine to him.

During a press conference on Thursday, Martin Estrada, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, revealed that five individuals, including two doctors, were apprehended and indicted for various offenses in connection with Perry's demise.

Kenny Iwamasa, Perry's live-in assistant and defendant, allegedly learned how to inject ketamine from co-defendant Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who left vials of the dissociative anesthetic drug for Iwamasa to inject Perry at his home in the Pacific Palisades. The drug was allegedly secured through "The Ketamine Queen," aka Jasveen Sangha, her co-conspirator, Dr. Mark Chavez, and middleman, Eric Fleming.

West Coast Trial Lawyers president Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Perry was exploited because of his fame and ultimately suffered a tragic outcome.

Rahmani stated that these entourages are like leeches, as they have a lot of money and people take advantage of them, making money off them and milking them.

"An individual with a well-documented opioid addiction is taking medication to manage it and is very open about it. However, there are those who exploit his addiction by charging him thousands of dollars for ketamine. This is truly unfortunate."

In the text messages disclosed in the indictments, Plasencia allegedly wrote to Chavez, "I wonder how much this moron will pay" and "Lets find out." Both Plasencia and Chavez were licensed medical doctors in California, according to the indictment.

Estrada stated that the defendants sold approximately 20 vials of a drug to Perry for $50,000 in cash, and during another sale, they took advantage of Perry by selling 50 vials of ketamine for $11,000 in cash.

Iwamasa confessed to administering ketamine to Perry multiple times without proper medical knowledge, including on the day of his death. He pleaded guilty on August 7th to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine that resulted in death, and, according to Estrada, has already reached a plea agreement.

Jasveen Sangha, known as the "Ketamine Queen," is accused of operating a stash house in North Hollywood, California, where she allegedly manufactured, stored, and distributed controlled substances, including methamphetamine and ketamine, both Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances, respectively, according to court documents.

According to documents, Sangha had previously been involved in selling ketamine and was indicted for her role in the 2019 overdose death of Cody McLaury through the investigation of Perry's death.

"They have these entourages that are many times like leeches. They have a ton of money, and there are people that just take advantage of them and make money off them and milk them."  — Neama Rahmani

Fleming acted as a mediator between Sangha and clients, and at one point conveyed to Perry's assistant via text that she exclusively deals with high-end and celebrity clients. If the work was not exceptional, she would lose her business.

On Oct. 14, 2023, Iwamasa agreed to purchase 25 vials. A week later, on Oct. 23, Iwamasa requested the same amount over the next two days in a text message with Fleming. The ketamine delivered on Oct. 24 was the drug that killed Perry four days later.

At least 18 times between Oct. 25-27 and three times on the day of his death, Perry was injected by Iwamasa.

"There are people who are charging him thousands and thousands of dollars for ketamine and taking advantage of that addiction. It's really sad." — Neama Rahmani

Rahmani believes the case is fairly cut and dry.

"The evidence against the dealers is compelling. The text messages are incriminating, and several defendants have already confessed to the crime. The dealers have no defense. They lack a DEA license and have no legitimate reason to possess ketamine or methamphetamine, so they are likely to face serious consequences."

Sangha and Plasencia were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Additionally, Sangha was charged with five counts of distribution of ketamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.

If found guilty of all charges, Sangha could receive a minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Plasencia could face up to 10 years in federal prison for each ketamine-related charge and up to 20 years in federal prison for each records falsification charge.

Chavez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine as part of his plea agreement. He admitted to selling ketamine to Plasencia, including ketamine that he had diverted from his former ketamine clinic.

According to Eric Anderson, a former prosecutor and current counsel at Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae LLP, the charges against those accused in Perry's death are straightforward.

If a prominent person dies due to your drug dealing, you will be charged with murder and it will not go unnoticed, Anderson stated.

"Perry, a well-known celebrity with substance abuse issues, was open about his struggles and efforts to stay sober. However, it is alleged that those closest to him, who had access to him, exploited his vulnerability and made light of his struggles. Despite warnings about the serious health risks of providing and injecting him with ketamine, they continued to do so."

A former New York prosecutor and partner in White Collar Group at Blank Rome LLP, Rither Alabre, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that prosecutors are "definitely sending a strong message" to dealers through this high-profile case.

Alabre stated that recently, prosecutors have been charging dealers who supplied the drugs that resulted in the deaths of high-profile individuals.

"In the Southern District of New York (SDNY), federal prosecutors charged a dealer of fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the death of actor Michael K. Williams (The Wire) and ultimately sentenced him to 10 years in prison. Additionally, SDNY prosecutors charged a dealer of the drugs that led to the death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, and that dealer faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the two counts she is charged with."

"If your drug dealing leads to the death of a prominent person, then you will be charged with murder, and it will not go unnoticed." — Eric Anderson

The investigation into Perry's actions would benefit from federal prosecutors taking the lead, as they have access to more resources and can collaborate with other agencies.

"The defendants in federal court are more likely to receive harsher sentences, with one of them facing a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment in the case of Perry's death. Prosecutors have also charged two doctors (not Perry's regular doctors) with providing the drugs to the dealers, indicating a strong message being sent in these types of cases."

An apparent drowning in a hot tub at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles led to the death of the "Friends" star on Oct. 28. He was 54.