Friends Creator Marta Kauffman has broken her silence following the arrests in connection with the death of Matthew Perry.
The actor was found dead in his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023. An autopsy report later revealed that Perry had died from the acute effects of ketamine and drowning. He was 54 years old.
Perry’s death is currently making headlines again as the investigation into his acquisition of the drug is still ongoing.
Last Thursday, US authorities confirmed that five people had been charged in connection with the actor’s death.
After the update Friends Creator Kauffman has spoken about her memories of Perry – who was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the long-running sitcom – and how people can honor his memory.
In an interview with the Times, she said, “Two things come to mind: One is to donate to drug treatment centers – let’s fight the disease.”
Kauffman’s comments follow Perry’s family’s decision to establish a foundation in the actor’s name dedicated to helping and supporting people struggling with drug addiction.
The 67-year-old added that she hopes her fans don’t think about Perry’s death, but instead focus on the joy and laughter he brought them during his career as an actor.
Perry was photographed alongside Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman. (Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic)
“And the second option is to watch ‘Friends’ and remember him not as a man who died that way, but as a man who was incredibly funny and brought joy to everyone,” she said.
Kauffman had previously spoken about her last meeting with Perry during a television appearance after his death last year.
“It was great. He was happy and cheerful. He didn’t seem to be bothered by anything. He was doing really well, which is why this seems so unfair,” she told the Today show.
A joint criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into Perry’s death was confirmed in May.
On August 15, it was confirmed that “at least one person” had been arrested in connection with the actor’s death.
Attorney Martin Estrada later announced that charges had been filed against five people following an investigation into a “broad-based underground criminal network” responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine to Mr. Perry and others.
He added: “This network included a live-in assistant, several middlemen, two doctors and a key drug supplier known as the ‘Ketamine Queen.'”
The actor died last October. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ)
“These defendants exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction problems to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was wrong. They knew they were putting Mr. Perry in great danger.
“But they did it anyway. Ultimately, these defendants were more interested in profiting from Mr. Perry than in caring about his well-being.”
The following five people were charged:
- Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” was accused of selling Perry the ketamine dose that killed him.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a licensed physician, is said to have distributed about 20 vials of ketamine to Perry.
- Dr. Mark Chavez, another licensed physician who helped obtain the ketamine.
- Erik Fleming, a “broker” and acquaintance of Perry, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
- Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry’s live-in assistant, who worked with Sangha and Chavez to obtain the ketamine and administered it to him, despite having no medical training to do so.
Chavez, Iwasama and Fleming have all pleaded guilty to the charges against them, while Sangha and Plasencia have pleaded not guilty.
