Lauren Johnson- Norris- Matthew Perry - KTLA 8-17-24 6am

Lauren Johnson-Norris discusses the charges and facts of the Matthew Perry death cases with KTLA new.

[Speaker 2]

This morning, new details in the investigation into beloved sitcom star Matthew Perry's death. Investigators questioning people close to Perry and diving deeper into the criminal drug ring who provided him the ketamine that contributed to his death. KTLA's Gene King is live for us right here in studio with what we know this morning.

Gene, good morning.

[Speaker 1]

Good morning, Megan and Lauren. What a serious story here. Officials say they questioned Charlie Sheen's ex-wife Brooke Mueller about her history with beloved actor Matthew Perry, but she was not charged in his fatal overdose, and this morning there are jaw-dropping revelations.

Let's take a look. Authorities say Perry's tragic death was the result of a sinister criminal drug network targeting celebrities with allegations against the so-called ketamine queen of North Hollywood and doctors. On the fateful day of his death, Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Imahwasa, is accused of giving him three injections of ketamine, according to the indictment.

Now, Perry's last words to him were chilling. Quote, shoot me up with a big one. Moments later, the beloved star was found lifeless.

Authorities say Perry, who starred as Chandler being on Friends, died last October at age 54 from acute effects of ketamine before he drowned in his Pacific Palisades jacuzzi. The investigation this morning is delving deeper into this shocking case.

[Speaker 3]

I think we all thought he may have just had other drugs in his system, may have accidentally overdosed and drowned, but I think when you hear that doctors may have been involved in this, I think that changes the tune.

[Speaker 1]

In the drug distribution network that resulted in the arrest of five individuals, two California physicians, Dr. Mark Chavez and Dr. Salvador Plascencia, and a woman known as the ketamine queen, Jasveen Sanya, have been implicated. Dr. Plascencia's attorney told ABC News that while his client did administer ketamine to Perry, he maintains that Plascencia's actions were not criminal.

[Speaker 4]

He was a patient, he did receive ketamine treatment therapy under medically supervised conditions and in accordance with best medical practices. It was all above board medical treatment.

[Speaker 1]

Investigators claim that Perry's well-known addiction issues were exploited for financial gain. Although Perry had previously been treated with ketamine for anxiety and depression, he sought out this drug network after doctors cut off his supply.

[Speaker 5]

In this case, we are not talking about legitimate ketamine treatment. We're talking about two doctors who abused the trust they had, abused their licenses to put another person's life at risk.

[Speaker 1]

Officials traced the evidence including text messages revealing the defendants roles. The one message from October 12th sent by Eric Fleming, who allegedly sold ketamine to Perry's team, stated that they would quote, wouldn't do it if there wasn't a chance of making some money from this. Well this morning, so many shocking details in this case.

We're gonna follow all of these new developments including more text messages saying that they were really targeting them for all of their cash. As you heard there, more on that coming up next. Gene Kang, back to you.