Who Was Charged in Matthew Perry’s Death? Latest Updates on All 5 Defendants

When Matthew Perry was found unresponsive in a jacuzzi at his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles on October 28, 2023, it marked the beginning of a sprawling federal investigation that ultimately led to charges against five people linked to the actor’s ketamine use and death.

Perry, who was 54, died from the acute effects of ketamine. In August 2024, federal authorities announced criminal charges against five individuals: Perry’s personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; doctors Mark Chavez and Salvador Plasencia; and alleged drug suppliers Erik Fleming and Jasveen Sangha.

All five later pleaded guilty to charges connected to Perry’s death. Three have already been sentenced, while the remaining two are still awaiting sentencing. Here’s a closer look at each person involved in the case.

Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s longtime live-in personal assistant, played a central role in the actor’s ketamine use in the weeks leading up to his death. Prosecutors said he acted as Perry’s drug intermediary and administered multiple ketamine injections to the actor.

According to court filings, Iwamasa purchased ketamine on Perry’s behalf from several co-defendants, including Plasencia and Sangha. Authorities alleged that he injected Perry with at least three doses of ketamine supplied through Sangha on the day the actor died.

What They Admitted To: Federal narcotics charges tied to Perry’s death.

Time Behind Bars: He is awaiting sentencing.

Reaction to the Case: Iwamasa has not publicly commented on the case.

Sangha will spend 15 years in federal prison for selling ketamine that caused the death of Perry.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California said that she was sentenced by District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett on April 8.

The San Fernando Valley woman, known as “Ketamine Queen” of North Hollywood, after learning from news reports of Perry’s death, called Fleming on the Signal app to discuss how to distance themselves from it.

Sangha is a dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom and has been in federal custody since August 2024.

According to court documents, Sangha distributed drugs to Perry’s acquaintance Erik Fleming, who then sold 51 vials of ketamine to the actor’s live-in personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa.

What They Admitted To: Three counts of distribution of ketamine, one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death or serious bodily injury, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.

Time Behind Bars: Fifteen years in federal prison, the longest sentence handed down so far in the case.

Reaction to the Case: “These were not mistakes. They were horrible decisions,” Sangha said during sentencing.

Erik Fleming served as the middleman between Sangha and Perry’s inner circle, according to prosecutors.

Court documents said Fleming obtained ketamine from Sangha and sold 51 vials to Iwamasa. Prosecutors alleged that Fleming profited from the transactions and helped facilitate repeated drug purchases for the actor.

Two days after Perry’s death, Fleming allegedly sent messages to Sangha discussing the investigation and whether ketamine could still be detected in toxicology testing.

What They Admitted To: Federal narcotics charges connected to Perry’s death.

Time Behind Bars: He was set to be sentenced on May 13.

Reaction to the Case: Fleming has not yet publicly addressed the case in court statements released by prosecutors.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a 44-year-old physician from Santa Monica known as “Dr. P,” admitted supplying ketamine to Perry in the weeks before his death.

Prosecutors said Plasencia distributed ketamine directly to Perry and also trained Iwamasa on how to inject the drug. He later pleaded guilty to four counts related to ketamine distribution.

Authorities described Plasencia as one of the major suppliers in the conspiracy. He surrendered his California medical license in September 2025.

What They Admitted To: Four counts of distribution of ketamine.

Time Behind Bars: Thirty months in federal prison.

Reaction to the Case: Plasencia expressed remorse during sentencing and acknowledged his failure to protect Perry.

Mark Chavez, a San Diego physician, supplied ketamine to Dr. Plasencia, who then passed it along to Perry.

Federal prosecutors said Chavez admitted his role in the conspiracy and cooperated with authorities during the investigation. He later surrendered his medical license in November 2024.

What They Admitted To: One count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Time Behind Bars: Three years of probation, including eight months of home detention and 300 hours of community service.

Reaction to the Case: Chavez offered condolences to Perry’s family during sentencing proceedings.