It appeared possible that the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home last year was the result of an accident.
He had been using ketamine infusion therapy to manage his depression; there was no evidence of drug use or foul play, and it looked as though he had drowned.
The actor claimed that after decades of battleing addiction, he was now clean.
The actor, best known for portraying Chandler Bing on Friends, passed away, and while everyone was grieving, a coroner discovered something odd in his blood: elevated ketamine levels, comparable to those used for general anaesthesia during surgery.
It should not have still been in his system since his last therapy appointment more than a week prior.
According to US prosecutors, a nearly year-long investigation that followed uncovered an alleged vast underground ketamine dealing network, cover-up attempts and another death.
It led to five arrests - including medical doctors, Perry's assistant and an alleged dealer they said was known locally as the "Ketamine Queen".
His live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine causing death, and two others - Eric Fleming and Dr Mark Chavez - also pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute drugs unlawfully.
Dr Salvador Plasencia, accused of supplying ketamine to Perry, is charged with falsifying records. Jasveen Sangha, an alleged dealer, faces nine counts, including include conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
Both pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday.
Ms Sangha's name comes up again and again in the investigation.
Authorities allege the "Ketamine Queen" supplied the drugs that led to Perry's death on 28 October, 2023.
The 41-year-old is accused of selling 50 vials of ketamine to him for about $11,000 (£8,550), and was described by prosecutors as a drug trafficker who knew the ketamine she distributed could be deadly.
Her North Hollywood home was a "drug-selling emporium", Martin Estrada, the US Attorney for California's Central District, said during a news conference.
More than 80 vials of ketamine were allegedly found there in a search, along with thousands of pills that included methamphetamine, cocaine, and Xanax.
A handgun was also discovered, Mr Estrada said.
The home, called the "Sangha Stash House" in the indictment, was where she is alleged to have packaged and distributed drugs, mostly for the rich and famous.
Ms Sangha "only deal[s] with high end and celebs", according to the indictment.
Before the news conference ended, Mr Estrada was asked how big Ms Sangha's network was.
He alleged she was a "major source of supply for ketamine to others as well as Perry".
1
2
3
4
.svg)
