**Matthew Perry’s Doctor to Plead Guilty Over Illegal Ketamine Supply Prior to Actor’s Death**
Matthew Perry’s passing sent shockwaves across the globe, but new revelations surrounding the months leading up to his death have added a tragic complexity to the story. This week, federal prosecutors in California announced that Dr Salvador Plasencia, a licensed medical professional, has agreed to plead guilty to four counts related to the illegal distribution of ketamine to the beloved Friends actor, who died in October 2023 at the age of 54.
The details of Perry’s untimely death quickly became the subject of widespread attention. Best known for his iconic role as Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom Friends, Perry was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub at his Los Angeles residence. An official investigation determined that the cause of death was accidental, attributing the fatality to the “acute effects of ketamine,” an anaesthetic increasingly used off-label to treat depression.
Federal court documents illuminated the extent to which Dr Plasencia allegedly supplied Perry with quantities of ketamine far exceeding safe therapeutic limits. These transactions reportedly occurred not just in a clinical setting, but also at Perry’s home and even car parks, including the parking lot of the Long Beach Aquarium. The prosecutor in the case, US attorney Martin Estrada, suggested that Dr Plasencia exploited Perry’s vulnerability, commenting, “These doctors preyed on Perry’s history of addiction during the closing months of his life.”
According to correspondence unearthed during the investigation, Plasencia appeared to show little regard for Perry’s well-being. In text messages shared by prosecutors, Dr Mark Chavez—a fellow physician who has already entered a guilty plea in the case—described a conversation where Plasencia referred to Perry as a “moron” and joked about how much the star would pay for drugs. These exchanges are now a key part of the prosecution’s argument that the network of professionals involved willfully ignored the risks to the actor’s health.
The court documents also reveal a broader web of people allegedly involved in the supply of controlled substances to Perry. Notably, Dr Plasencia was said to have instructed Perry’s personal assistant in the administration of ketamine and is accused of providing additional vials for continued use at home. The assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, has also pleaded guilty alongside Dr Mark Chavez and accused drug dealer Erik Fleming, highlighting an alleged underground network catering to those seeking dangerous substances outside legal limits.
Despite being prescribed ketamine as part of a legitimate treatment for his well-documented struggles with depression, it is believed Perry sought more than what physicians considered safe. Throughout his life, the actor remained vocal about his battles with addiction and mental health challenges. In his memoir, Perry himself admitted to the struggles that haunted him, impacting both his professional work and personal happiness.
One figure yet to admit guilt is Jasveen Sangha, reportedly known in entertainment circles as the ‘Ketamine Queen’. Sangha has pleaded not guilty, and remains embroiled in ongoing legal proceedings as authorities attempt to dismantle this network of providers operating outside the law.
Perry’s fans, many of whom have followed his career since Friends first aired in the 1990s, mourned his death alongside tributes acknowledging his candidness about addiction. His openness is now seen in a new light, given the tragic outcome. Public health advocates suggest the revelations highlight the perils faced by those in recovery who struggle to find reliable and safe treatment.
As legal proceedings continue, the case raises critical questions about accountability within the healthcare provision sector and the risks posed by off-label drug use, particularly among vulnerable populations. Dr Plasencia now faces a potential 40-year prison sentence, as authorities signal a commitment to pursuing justice in cases where medical professionals violate both ethical and legal obligations.
The fallout from Matthew Perry’s death, intensified by these latest disclosures, will likely spark ongoing conversations in both Hollywood and the wider medical community about responsibility, addiction support, and safeguarding those in greatest need.