It is very odd to live in a world where if you died, it would shock people but surprise no one. To address two additional units and a supervisor respond to Blue Sail Drive. The mystery unravels after a beloved actor, Matthew Perry, found dead. We're learning more about Perry's final hours. Known around the world as Chandler Bing on Friends. I'm Chandler. I make jokes when I'm uncomfortable. But in one of his last interviews ever, he told Diane Sourya about the substance abuse disorder that would hold him in its grasp until the very end. How will we know when you're in trouble, when you're not okay? If I say, I'm just going to chill alone at home tonight. Struggling with drugs, alcohol, and ultimately, in his final moments, ketamine, a powerful drug, sometimes legally prescribed for mental health treatments. Perry's death igniting a sweeping multi-agency investigation into two separate drug rings. Matthew Perry sought treatment for depression and anxiety and went to a local clinic where he became addicted to intravenous ketamine. When clinic doctors refused to increase his dosage, he turned to unscrupulous doctors who saw Perry as a way to make quick money. Is he responsible for Matthew Perry's death?

Now, less than a month later, disturbing details continue to come to light about what happened in Perry's final days, another alleged victim, and who will be brought to justice. We're here today with our law enforcement partners to announce federal criminal charges related to the death of the actor, Matthew Perry. His demise, ultimately exposing an elaborate web of death doctors and dealers, allegedly distributing at least 70 vials of ketamine, which cost Perry more than $60,000 in the final month of his life. Five people, including two doctors, and Matthew Perry's personal assistant, all arrested. Those involved now facing multiple charges in connection with the actor's ketamine death and face 10 years to life in prison if convicted. We charge five defendants in this matter. These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry's addiction issues to enrich themselves. The defendants include 54-year-old Dr. Marc Chávez from San Diego. Do you have any remorse about what's been going on? 59-year-old Kenneth Iwamasa, Perry's live-in personal assistant, and Eric Fleming, a former movie producer turned drug middleman. Three of the five immediately decided they were pleading guilty. They were working with investigators, flipping on the other two. The alleged ring leaders are 42-year-old Dr. Salvador Placencia, Dr. P.

The indictment alleges Placencia himself sold Iwamasa vial after vial. Prosecutors say that Iwamasa was getting the ketamine initially from Dr. Placencia, but Iwamasa has no medical training, so he had to figure out and learn how to inject this ketamine into Matthew Perry, and that it was allegedly Dr. Placentia who said, I will show you. Over two months, from September to October 2023, they distributed approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Mr. Perry in exchange for $55,000 in cash. Defendant Placentia saw this as an opportunity to profit off of Mr. Perry. Also indicted Jesveen Sonja, whose customers allegedly dubbed her the Ketamine Queen. The 41-year-old posting photos on social media depicting her high-end lifestyle. Do you know why she was given the name Ketamine Queen? One can infer, based on the fact that she sold 50 vials in two weeks to Mr. Perry, a very large amount. Sangha and and Placentia both pleaded not guilty. What the indictment seems to show is that he was really a charlatan administering Ketamine to Matthew Perry, who was clearly in the throes of addiction. That's what the government's alleging, whether or not that's what actually happened, we'll have to see if it plays out.

Jesvein Sangha's attorney, Mark Garigot, spoke to Newsweek defending his client. I think all of these so-called urban legends that somehow my client knew Matthew Perry are demonstrably false. After the feds raided Sangha's apartment, they also say they learned of a second victim who died years earlier. That other victim was a person named Cody McClory. How would you describe your brother? Growing up, he was very sweet. He had lots of close friendships, and he also liked to have a good time. The autopsy report listed his cause of death as acute ketamine, along with heroine, methamfetamine, and cocaine toxicity. When you heard that ketamine was one of the causes of death from the autopsy, were you surprised? Well, yes, because it's tough to think that something that you've never heard really being a cause of death or just not common was a factor for him. Addiction was not something that was a part of Cody's life. Months after he died, the police mailed Kimberly her brother's belongings, including his cell phone, which Kimberly says revealed a disturbing discovery. Cody's text messages with Sangha. You do find something that is very, very suspicious. What do you see? Yeah, so I see messages back and forth between the two of them talking about ketamine and how much she has available, how much it costs.

Kimberly decided to text Sangha herself, stating, The ketamine you sold my brother, killed him. It's listed as the cause of death. Is it possible that Cody McClory's death would never have been investigated had it not been for Matthew Perry's death? It's certainly possible, but I will say that we investigate the deaths of many people who are not celebrities. I think there's a shift in terms of how we look at these deaths. We don't blame the victim. We want to vindicate the victim. We want to hold drug dealers accountable for the death they caused. When prescribed and administered legally, many doctors and their patients say the results can be groundbreaking. The research is favorable when you're looking at ketamine as a treatment for depression, particularly individuals with resistant depression who don't respond to traditional therapies. Doctors recommend that ketamine and traditional psychotherapy be done in tandem, and patients should be under medical supervision. Would you prescribe ketamine to someone who has known addiction issues? What we do know is that there is a body of evidence suggesting that ketamine treatment, if done properly, can be helpful for folks with substance abuse disorder. It is very dangerous to use ketamine in someone who's actively using substances.

It can become a drug of abuse, psychologically. Ready to rock and roll? Sebastian is one of the many believers in ketamine therapy. He's come to bespoke treatment run by Dr. Nema Fahimian. Today, he's getting help with his treatment-resistant depression. Take a deep breath. I've been using the same antidepressant for 12 years, and it stopped working at some point. It was really hard to do anything. I would say my depression symptoms have probably reduced by 50% by now, which is good. Our thanks to Matt. Watching that piece It's reminding me of my own therapist's wisdom. We're all having a hard time with something, he says. And it's been said, The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it's community. Each of us find and cherish our own community. If you or someone you care about is struggling with thoughts of suicide, substance use, or mental health crisis, text or call the Crisis Lifeline at 988. Free help is available 24/7. For much more of a match report, much more of Matt's report, watch what happened to Matthew Perry on Impact by Nightline, now streaming on Hulu. It.