Tonight the criminal charges in connection with the accidental drug overdose death of actor Matthew Perry

more than nine months after the Friend Star was found unresponsive in his pool, five people now charge, including Perry's assistance.

Two doctors and a woman authorities

call the ketamine queen, the alleged conspiracy

to distribute the drugs that led to his death inside the sprawling

investigation. Also tonight Hurricane Ernesto gaining strength and taking

aim at Bermuda in Puerto Rico hundreds of thousands still without power from the storm.

The race for the White House, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris making their

first appearance together since he dropped out of the race.

Their major announcement on slashing prescription drug prices.

Donald Trump taking questions from reporters and after the attempt on his life the new security measures the Secret Service will add to his outdoor rallies.

The grim milestone, the death toll in Gaza surpassing 40,000 as ceasefire talks resume without Hamas at the table.

This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Good evening and welcome.

We knew the death of actor Matthew Perry was tragic, his

struggles with addiction, anxiety, and ultimately a fatal overdose last fall.

But tonight we're learning the shocking depths of that tragedy and about those who law enforcement officials say took advantage of Perry, seizing on his vulnerabilities and supplying him with drugs, in this case, ketamine that took his life last October.

Tonight in California, five individuals now charged in connection with a death of the

Friends actor. Two of them doctors, an alleged drug dealer known in some of the

death of the Friends actor, two of them doctors, an alleged drug dealer known in some circles as the Ketamine Queen of North Hollywood

and his former personal assistant.

Together, federal agents say they are part of a ring that Perry turned to as his

...