Five charged in connection to Matthew Perry's death as police give update on 'underground criminal network'

Five people have been charged in connection to Matthew Perry's death as police have given an update on the 'underground criminal network' supplying him ketamine.

The Friends actor was found 'unconscious in a stand-alone Jacuzzi' at his Los Angeles home on 28 October 2023, aged 54.

His family confirmed the tragic news in a statement last year, saying: “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend.

"You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love."

Today, law enforcement told NBC and TMZ on Thursday (15 August) that at least one person had been arrested in connection with the actor's death.

Perry's death was originally reported as accidental, with an autopsy determining a combined cause of ketamine use and drowning as the cause of death.

The Los Angeles Police Department had previously said they had been working with federal authorities in a criminal investigation since May to investigate where the ketamine Perry consumed came from.

He reportedly used it as a treatment for depression and anxiety.

But the medical examiner said that the ketamine in Perry’s system 'could not be from that infusion therapy' because his last session took place more than a week before his death.

In a press conference today, attorney Martin Estrada said that there had been a 'broad underground criminal network responsible for distributing large quantities of ketamine to Mr Perry and others'.

Matthew Perry died from an accidental ketamine overdose last year. (Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQ)

"This network included a live-in assistant, various go-betweens, two medical doctors and a major source of drug supply known as ‘the ketamine queen’," he said.

Doctors Jasveen Sangha and Salvador Plasencia have been accused of working with others to distribute ketamine to the actor from September to October 2023.

They distributed approximately 20 vials of ketamine to Perry in exchange for $55,000 (£42,800) in cash, authorities said.

Perry's tragic passing was met with heartbreaking tributes from the Friends cast, who also said in a joint statement: "We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.

"There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.

"In time we will say more, as and when we are able.

"For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."

Perry's co-stars also attended his funeral at the Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills on 3 November 2023.

Perry famously starred as Chandler Bing in Friends. (Warner Bros. Television)

Friends co-creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin Bright, added: "We are shocked and deeply, deeply saddened by our beloved friend Matthew’s passing.

"It still seems impossible. All we can say is that we feel blessed to have had him as part of our lives.

"He was a brilliant talent. It’s a cliche to say that an actor makes a role their own, but in Matthew’s case, there are no truer words.

"From the day we first heard him embody the role of Chandler Bing, there was no one else for us.

"We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment – not just to his work, but in life as well.

"He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart.

"We send all of our love to his family and friends. This truly is The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken."

LADbible has previously contacted the LAPD and Perry's former representatives for comment.