Connect with us

Published

on

One of the doctors charged in connection with the death of Friends star Matthew Perry is set to plead guilty.

Perry was found dead at his home in Los Angeles, aged 54, on 28 October last year.

The actor had been taking ketamine six to eight times a day before he died, according to court documents.

Clockwise from top left: Friends stars Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox. Pic: NBC Universal Inc/ Sky UK
Image:
Clockwise from top left: Friends stars Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox. Pic: NBC Universal Inc/ Sky UK

Dr. Mark Chavez. Pic: LinkedIn
Image:
Dr. Mark Chavez. Pic: LinkedIn

Five people have been charged in connection with his death.

This includes his live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, a doctor named Salvador Plasencia, known as “Dr. P”, Jasveen Sangha who was referred to in documents as the “Ketamine Queen”, Eric Fleming, who it was claimed bought the drug off of Sangha, and then a second doctor Mark Chavez.

Chavez is due to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine when he appears in a federal court in Los Angeles, on Friday.

The 54-year-old from San Diego signed an agreement with prosecutors earlier this month.

More on Drugs

Also working with the US attorney’s office are Perry’s assistant, Iwamasa, and Fleming – who both pleaded guilty to various charges.

The three are helping prosecutors as they go after their main targets, Plasencia and Sangha.

After a guilty plea, Chavez could get up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced.

Meanwhile, Plasencia pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.

Sangha, a dual US and UK citizen, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.

He and Sangha are scheduled to return to court next week.

They have separate trial dates set for October, but prosecutors are seeking a single trial that likely would be delayed to next year.

Salvador Plasencia. Pic: Malibu Canyon Urgent Care
Image:
Salvador Plasencia. Pic: Malibu Canyon Urgent Care

Kenneth Iwamasa Pic: LinkedIn
Image:
Kenneth Iwamasa Pic: LinkedIn

Jasveen Sangha
Pic: BFA.com/Shutterstock
Image:
Jasveen Sangha. Pic: BFA.com/Shutterstock

‘I wonder how much this moron will pay’

When Perry died, the levels of ketamine in his body were equivalent to the amount used for general anaesthesia during surgery, according to Sky News’ US partner NBC News.

In texts written by Plasencia, he wrote: “I wonder how much this moron will pay,”, referring to Perry, prosecutors have alleged.

Court documents revealed extensive correspondence between some of the defendants as they discussed sourcing the drug for Perry.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

In a separate message, Fleming allegedly sent a picture to Iwamasa of three unmarked jars said to contain ketamine with the message: “I guarantee it’s going to be amazing.”

They would use codewords as well and refer to ketamine as “Dr Pepper”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Outside Jasveen Sangha’s ‘drug-selling emporium’

‘Out of control’

Ketamine has seen a huge surge in use in recent years, as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and pain.

Perry had begun taking ketamine as part of infusion therapy to treat depression and anxiety, but, according to prosecutors, had developed an “out of control” dependence on it and began sourcing unsupervised doses.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator Anne Milgram said: “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.”

Prosecutors allege Chavez funnelled ketamine to Plasencia, securing some of the drug from a wholesale distributor through a fraudulent prescription.

In one instance, prosecutors allege that Plasencia “charged Perry $2,000 (£1,500) a vial that cost Dr Chavez approximately $12 (£9)”.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in pictures

Published

on

By

Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in pictures

It’s a night of glitz, glamour and high camp, in which pop, rock, disco and opera all come together in one big Eurovision cocktail.

This year’s acts incorporate a giant gold microphone, a sauna – and of course pyrotechnics and fake ice aplenty.

Here are some of the best moments on stage in Basel.

Tommy Cash, singing Espresso Macchiato for Estonia. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Tommy Cash, singing Espresso Macchiato for Estonia. Pic: Reuters

Kyle Alessandro performs Lighter for Norway. Pic: AP
Image:
Kyle Alessandro performs Lighter for Norway. Pic: AP

Yuval Raphael performs New Day Will Rise for Israel. Pic:AP
Image:
Yuval Raphael performs New Day Will Rise for Israel. Pic:AP

JJ singing Wasted Love for Austria. Pic: Reuters
Image:
JJ singing Wasted Love for Austria. Pic: Reuters

VAEB performing Roa for Iceland. Pic: AP
Image:
VAEB performing Roa for Iceland. Pic: AP

Remember Monday perform What The Hell Just Happened for the UK. Pic: AP
Image:
Remember Monday perform What The Hell Just Happened for the UK. Pic: AP

Ziferblat perform Bird Of Pray for Ukraine. Pic: AP
Image:
Ziferblat perform Bird Of Pray for Ukraine. Pic: AP

Melody perform Esa Diva for Spain. Pic: AP
Image:
Melody perform Esa Diva for Spain. Pic: AP

Lucio Corsi performing Volevo Essere Un Duro for Italy. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Lucio Corsi performing Volevo Essere Un Duro for Italy. Pic: Reuters

Tautumeitas performing Bur Man Laimi for Latvia. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Tautumeitas performing Bur Man Laimi for Latvia. Pic: Reuters

Erika Vikman performing Ich Komme for Finland. Pic: Reuters
Erika Vikman, representing Finland, performs "ICH KOMME", during the Grand Final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, May 17, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Image:
Erika Vikman performs Ich Komme for Finland. Pics: Reuters

Claude singing C'est La Vie for The Netherlands. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Claude singing C’est La Vie for The Netherlands. Pic: Reuters

Abor & Tynna sing Baller for Germany. Pic: AP
Image:
Abor & Tynna sing Baller for Germany. Pic: AP

KAJ perform Bara Bada Bastu for Sweden. Pic: AP
Image:
KAJ perform Bara Bada Bastu for Sweden. Pic: AP

Shkodra Elektronike performing Zjerm for Albania. Pic: AP
Image:
Shkodra Elektronike performing Zjerm for Albania. Pic: AP

Louane sings Maman for France. Pic: AP
Image:
Louane sings Maman for France. Pic: AP

PARG performs Survivor for Armenia. Pic: AP
Image:
PARG performs Survivor for Armenia. Pic: AP

Klavdia sings Asteromata for Greece. Pic: AP
Image:
Klavdia sings Asteromata for Greece. Pic: AP

Gabry Ponte performing Tutta L'Italia for San Marino. Pic: AP
Image:
Gabry Ponte performing Tutta L’Italia for San Marino. Pic: AP

JJ is crowned the winner of Eurovision 2025. Pic: Reuters
Image:
JJ is crowned the winner of Eurovision 2025. Pic: Reuters

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Eurovision 2025: Austria wins Eurovision, as UK avoids dreaded ‘nul points’

Published

on

By

Eurovision 2025: Austria wins Eurovision, as UK avoids dreaded 'nul points'

Austria has won Eurovision 2025, with Austrian-Filipino singer-songwriter JJ taking the glass microphone.

The 24-year-old singer, who originally trained as a countertenor, represented his country with his operatic ballad Wasted Love, staged on a storm-tossed ship.

The song, which was not dissimilar to that of last year’s winner Nemo, told the story of unrequited love, with a techno breakdown near the end. Austria has won Eurovision twice before, the last time in 2014 with Conchita Wurst’s pop hit Rise Like A Phoenix.

JJ singing Wasted Love for Austria. Pic: Reuters
Image:
JJ singing Wasted Love for Austria. Pic: Reuters

Israel’s Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7, 2023, attacks which were the catalyst for Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, was the runner-up with piano ballad New Day Will Rise, performed in Hebrew, French and English.

The singer was left “shaken and upset,” after two pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards her during her grand final performance.

Organisers confirmed a backstage crew member was hit with paint but was not hurt.

A spokesman for SRG SSR said: “At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage.

More on Eurovision

“They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.”

Israel has won Eurovision four times, and last year finished in fifth place with Eden Golan’s Hurricane.

Yuval Raphael performs New Day Will Rise for Israel. Pic:AP
Image:
Yuval Raphael performs New Day Will Rise for Israel. Pic:AP

Just as the grand final began broadcasting, Spanish broadcaster shared a message of Palestinian support which read: “When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.”

The broadcaster had already received a warning from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over political statements reported by Israeli broadcaster Kan.

The EBU said in response to the latter incident: “We can confirm that we have spoken to RTVE regarding this matter and made it clear that commentators are expected to maintain neutrality within the broadcasts of the Eurovision Song Contest.”

During the evening, there were also pro-Palestinian protests near the centre of Basel, as well as a small group nearby protesting with Israeli flags.

Israeli National Security Council had issued a warning to Israeli civilians in the city to keep a low profile during the competition.

In a change from last year’s contest in Malmo, Sweden, the ban on certain flags being waved by the audience was relaxed which meant Palestinian symbols could be seen in the arena.

Read more: Sex, survival and saunas – all the songs to look out for

Remember Monday perform What The Hell Just Happened for the UK. Pic: AP
Image:
Remember Monday perform What The Hell Just Happened for the UK. Pic: AP

The UK’s act – country pop trio Remember Monday – who performed in colourful Bridgerton-style outfits – avoided the dreaded “nul points”, coming in at 19th place with song What The Hell Just Happened?

However, for the second year running, the UK received no points in the public score.

The UK has had five wins at Eurovision, but in recent years have struggled to rank, with the exception being Sam Ryder with Space Man in 2022, who came second.

Last year, Olly Alexander placed 18th at Malmo, and Mae Muller was second to last the previous year in Liverpool.

The Eurovision grand final took place in the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, with the winner from among the 26 performing nations decided by a mix of public voting and points from national juries.

The four-hour-long show was presented by an all-female team – stand-up comedian Hazel Brugger, TV presenter Michelle Hunziker and Eurovision veteran Sandra Studer.

There were performances by previous Eurovision runners-up Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Finland’s Kaarija, as well as last year’s winner Nemo during the night.

KAJ perform Bara Bada Bastu for Sweden. Pic: AP
Image:
KAJ perform Bara Bada Bastu for Sweden. Pic: AP

Sweden had been widely tipped to win with their sauna-themed entry Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), but ended up coming fourth.

Ukraine, who have made a strong showing each since they first entered the competition in 2003, and who won in 2023, came ninth.

Last year protests and politics overshadowed the singing event amid the outbreak of war in Gaza, with some calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest.

Last year also saw Dutch singer Joost Klein kicked out of the competition by the EBU over alleged verbal threats to a female production worker, which he denied.

Next year’s competition, Eurovision’s 70th, will be held in Austria.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Rapper charged with GBH – after singer Chris Brown remanded in custody over ‘bottle attack’

Published

on

By

Rapper charged with GBH - after singer Chris Brown remanded in custody over 'bottle attack'

A second man has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent after an incident at a London nightclub that allegedly involved US singer Chris Brown.

The Metropolitan Police said Omololu Akinlolu, 38, will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Better known by his stage name HoodyBaby, the American rapper has been charged in connection with an alleged assault at the Tape nightclub in central London in February 2023.

Brown, 36, was charged on Thursday with grievous bodily harm with intent and was remanded in custody by judge in Manchester until 13 June.

He is accused of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw with a bottle during the incident in February.

During a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Brown watched intently as brief details of the case against him were outlined by prosecutor Hannah Nicholls.

She accused Brown of committing “an unprovoked attack with a weapon in a nightclub full of people”.

Brown spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, but did not enter a plea.

He will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing in London on 13 June.

Read more from Sky News:
Trump says ex-FBI director’s seashells post ‘meant assassination’
Seven men on run after ‘Shawshank’ escape from jail

Brown – known for hits such as “Loyal”, “Run It” and “Under the Influence” – was arrested at a hotel in Manchester in the early hours of Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.

The Grammy Award-winning singer was due to tour the UK in June and July, with dates in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Glasgow and Birmingham.

Continue Reading

Trending