A former Hollywood director, Erik Fleming, who once collaborated with A-lister Scarlett Johansson, is among five individuals arrested in connection with the death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry. Perry’s overdose on October 28, 2023, is still under investigation, with Fleming now facing charges related to his alleged role as a middleman in the ketamine trade that led to the actor’s death.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fleming had a notable career in Hollywood before his arrest. With 54 years of experience, he directed “My Brother the Pig,” a 1999 fantasy comedy for kids starring Eva Mendes and a young Scarlett Johansson. He also created the 2003 reality program “The Surreal Life,” featuring Corey Feldman, Gabrielle Carteris, Vince Neil, and MC Hammer in its first season. Additionally, Fleming directed the 1999 road movie “Tyrone,” which included performances by Coolio and Kevin Connolly.
Now, Fleming’s Hollywood career is overshadowed by his involvement in the case surrounding Perry’s death. He was detained on August 15th, accused of facilitating the delivery of ketamine that ultimately led to Perry’s overdose. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official Anne Milgram stated during a live-streamed conference, “Each of the defendants played a key role in his death,” as reported by People magazine.
The other individuals arrested include two physicians, Salvador Plasencia, and Mark Chavez, Perry’s live-in helper, Kenneth Iwamasa, and Jasveen Sangha, known as the ‘ketamine queen.’ According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Fleming allegedly coordinated drug sales with Sangha, transporting cash from Iwamasa to Sangha’s ‘stash house’ in North Hollywood to purchase the ketamine vials.
The investigation into Perry’s death has been extensive, involving multiple agencies, including the FBI, Los Angeles Police Department, USPS Los Angeles Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner initially concluded in December 2023 that Perry’s death was accidental, caused by acute ketamine effects. However, the investigation was reopened in May 2024 after it was determined that the ketamine in Perry’s system at the time of death could not have come from his last legal infusion therapy, given ketamine’s short half-life.
Reports indicate that Perry, who had reportedly been clean for 19 months, paid $11,000 to Sangha for 50 vials of ketamine after failing to obtain the drug through legal prescriptions. The reopened investigation suggests that this illicit ketamine purchase may have played a critical role in his untimely death.