Five people, including two medical doctors, have been charged in the death of actor Matthew Perry.
Driving the news: Federal authorities have filed drug charges related to the distribution of ketamine, which is sometimes used to treat depression.
- The defendants are facing charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, distribution of the drug resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute, and altering and falsifying records related to the investigation.
- The lead defendants are Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” and Salvador Plasencia, nicknamed “Dr. P,” who are alleged to have taken advantage of Perry’s addiction to enrich themselves.
The backstory: Perry was found dead in his swimming pool at his Pacific Palisades home on Oct. 28 with trace amounts of ketamine found in his stomach.
- The autopsy showed ketamine levels in his blood about the same as would be used during general anesthesia, which caused cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression that led to his death.
- Perry had no other drugs or paraphernalia in his system and had been sober for 19 months at the time of his death.
- Ketamine is a legal medication usually used as an anesthetic, but there are increasing uses “off label” at private clinics to treat depression and other mental health disorders.
