Why Were Arrests Made in Connection with Matthew Perry’s Death? A Timeline of the Investigation

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Perry attends the GQ Men of the Year Party 2022 at The West Hollywood EDITION on November 17, 2022 in West Hollywood, California.Photo:Phillip Faraone/Getty

Phillip Faraone/Getty

Matthew Perry’s death struck fans worldwide — and also opened a months-long investigation.

The belovedFriendsactordied after an accidental drug overdoseon Oct. 28, 2023. An autopsy later showed Perrydied from acute effects of ketamine, in addition to other contributing factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease and effects from buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.

Over six months after his death, the Los Angeles Police Department was conductinga formal investigationinto how the actor obtained the ketamine after the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coronerclosed their investigationin December 2023.

On Aug. 15, 2024, five people — including two doctors and Perry’s personal live-in assistant — werearrested on charges in connection with the actor’s death.

Jasveen Sangha — who United States Attorney Martin Estrada said is referred to as “The Ketamine Queen” — and Dr. Salvador Plascencia are both currently facing charges in the case, theDepartment of Justice announced. Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa was also charged — and has already pleaded guilty — alongsideErik Fleming and Dr. Mark Chavez, according to the DoJ.

“These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves,” Estrada said. “In the end, these defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well being.”

Now, Perry’s death and the investigation that has followed are the subject of a new Peacock documentary calledMatthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy,which premiered on the streaming service in February 2025.

Here’s a complete timeline of the investigation into Matthew Perry’s death and why five people are seeing their day in court because of it.

October 28, 2023: Matthew Perry dies of an accidental drug overdose

Matthew Perry arrives at the 9th Annual Dinner Benefiting the Lili Claire Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 14, 2006 in Beverly Hills, California.Michael Buckner/Getty

Michael Buckner/Getty

Perry was found dead at his Los Angeles home at 54 years old.

December 2023: Matthew Perry’s cause of death is determined

Matthew Perry speaks onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

The autopsy stated that Perry was “reportedly clean for 19 months” and was receiving a ketamine infusion therapy, with his latest treatment taking place “one and a half weeks” before his death.

His final treatment did not, however, contribute to his death as the coroner noted that “ketamine’s half-life is 3 to 4 hours, or less.”

January 9, 2024: The investigation into Matthew Perry’s death is officially closed

Matthew Perry attends CBS' 2015 Summer TCA party at the Pacific Design Center on August 10, 2015 in West Hollywood, California.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

A few weeks later, the LAPD confirmed to PEOPLE they would no longer be looking into Perry’s death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner also confirmed the case was “closed.”

May 21, 2024: The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding Matthew Perry’s death

Matthew Perry poses at a photocall for “The End Of Longing”, a new play which he wrote and stars in at The Playhouse Theatre, on February 8, 2016 in London, England.Dave Benett/Getty

Dave Benett/Getty

Though the LAPD announced they closed their investigation in January, just four months later, a new investigation came to light that involved them working with the California branch of the Drug Enforcement Administration to determine the source of the ketamine that led to Perry’s death.

At the time, authorities had conducted several interviews, but no arrests had been made.

June 25, 2024: A law enforcement source tells PEOPLE “multiple people” should be charged in association with Matthew Perry’s death

Matthew Perry at the premiere of Reelz’s “The Kennedys After Camelot” at The Paley Center for Media on March 15, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty

While the investigation was ongoing, a law enforcement source told PEOPLE that it was “nearing its conclusion,” and police believed “multiple people” should be charged.

However, the source added that the U.S. Attorney’s Office would make the final decision on whether or not to press charges. The same day, the office responded “no comment” to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

August 15, 2024: Matthew Perry’s personal assistant and doctors are arrested on charges surrounding his death

Matthew Perry poses at the opening night for “Six Degrees of Separation” on Broadway at The Barrymore Theatre on April 25, 2017 in New York City.Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Five people were arrested on Aug. 15 in association with Perry’s death, including his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa. The first two defendants named to the case were Jasveen Sangha — who United States Attorney Martin Estrada claimed is referred to as “The Ketamine Queen” — and Dr. Salvador Plascencia.

Sangha is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine, theDepartment of Justiceannounced.

Plascencia, who is a licensed physician, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, while the three other defendants — Iwamasa, Erik Fleming and Dr. Mark Chavez — were charged separately.

According to the DOJ, Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death, while Chavez will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Iwamasa pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death, after he"repeatedly” injected Perry with ketamine"without medical training," including on the day Perry died, according to the DOJ.

The former assistant and Fleming could face up to 15 to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty, while Chavez could face up to 10 years in prison. If found guilty, Sangha will serve a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a possible life sentence.

Estrada has alleged that the five defendants“took advantage” of Perryfor their own “profit.”

According to the DoJ, Plasencia allegedly contacted Chavez – who was also a doctor and previously operated a ketamine clinic – to obtain the substance to sell to Perry. In text messages to Chavez, Plasencia allegedly discussed how much to charge Perry for the ketamine, stating, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” and “Lets [sic] find out,” the DoJ claimed.

The attorney also alleged that the defendants were aware of what the negative impacts on Perry’s health could be because of their choices. Estrada claimed the prosecution had found text messages in which Sangha wrote, “I wouldn’t do it if there wasn’t a chance of me making some money for doing this.”

August 16, 2024: Matthew Perry’s stepdad Keith Morrison looks forward to “justice”

One day after federal investigators announced their charges, Perry’s stepdadKeith Morrisonshared his gratitude to law enforcement for their investigation, saying that he hopes that “justice” will be carried out.

Morrison continued: “We’re hoping unscrupulous suppliers of dangerous drugs will get the message.”

October 2, 2024: Dr. Mark Chavez pleads guilty

Less than two months after the arrests took place, Chavezaccepted a plea deal.

He pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine and could face up to 10 years in prison. He was released on a $50,000 bond until his sentencing, which is set to take place in April 2025.

February 7, 2025: Jasveen Sangha and Dr. Salvador Plasencia’s trials are delayed

AsThe Timesreported, Sangha and Plasencia pled not guilty to their charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Though they were originally set to go to trial in March 2025, one month earlier, a judge agreed to push back the joint trial to Aug. 19 after their lawyers asked for a continuance.

In the filing, they claimed that “additional time is necessary to confer with defendants, conduct and complete an independent investigation of the case, conduct and complete additional legal research including for potential pretrial motions, review the discovery and potential evidence in the case, and prepare for trial in the event that a pretrial resolution does not occur.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP

source: people.com