Credit: NBCThe Walt Disney Company has officially involved itself in the investigation into the tragic death of Friends star Matthew Perry. The actor best known for playing Chandler Bing died in October 2023 at 54.
The third season of Disney-owned ABC News Studios’ streaming news show, IMPACT x Nightline, premiered on Thursday, September 12. The first episode centered on the investigation into Perry’s death. Watch the trailer below.
ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman spends the episode looking into the role of ketamine in Perry’s death. The Friends star was found floating in his stand-alone jacuzzi. According to The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office autopsy report, he died of the “acute effects of ketamine” and subsequent drowning.
In August, the United States Attorney’s Office charged five individuals in connection to Perry’s death. They claimed to have uncovered the underground drug network that supplied Perry with his lethal dose of ketamine.
The five defendants include Perry’s live-in personal assistant, two doctors, and a person that authorities called “The Ketamine Queen.” Three of the individuals reached plea agreements with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said the five individuals “knew what they were doing was wrong” and “took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues.”
Erik Fleming, 54, “pleaded guilty on August 8 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.” He admitted to giving Perry his final dose of ketamine.
Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, “pleaded guilty on August 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death.” He admitted to injecting Perry with ketamine multiple times without medical training–including on the day of his death.
Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. He admitted to selling ketamine to one of the other defendants and diverting it from a ketamine clinic.
The two other defendants, Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha pled not guilty.
Dr. Plasencia was charged with “one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of distribution of ketamine, and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.” He was held on bond and surrendered his DEA license, preventing him from prescribing controlled substances.
Estrada said Sangha ran “a drug-selling emporium” in her home. She was 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.” The judge revoked her bond, considering Sangha a flight risk because she holds dual British and American citizenship.
Both defendants are awaiting trial.
New episodes of IMPACT x Nightline stream every Thursday on Hulu. Future episodes will investigate the Delphi murder trial, illusionist David Copperfield, the Fyre Festival, “surrogacy by choice,” and more.
Did you watch Thursday night’s IMPACT x Nightline premiere? In the comments, let Inside the Magic know your thoughts on the first episode about the tragic death of Matthew Perry.