A California doctor, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, has agreed to plead guilty to charges related to the death of actor Matthew Perry, who tragically passed away in October 2023. Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the beloved TV show Friends, was found dead in his Los Angeles home, and his death shocked fans worldwide.
Federal prosecutors revealed on Monday that Dr. Plasencia will plead guilty to four counts of distributing ketamine, a powerful anesthetic that Perry had been taking for depression treatment. The charges stem from an alleged underground network of medical professionals and dealers who supplied Perry with additional ketamine beyond his prescribed amount. According to prosecutors, the actor was seeking more of the drug than his doctor had prescribed, leading to a series of illegal transactions.
The plea agreement, filed by federal prosecutors, outlines how Dr. Plasencia injected Perry with ketamine both at his home and in a public parking lot at the Long Beach Aquarium. Plasencia is also accused of instructing Perry’s assistant—who is also facing charges—on how to administer the drug and selling them additional vials for personal use. In total, between September 30, 2023, and October 12, 2023, Dr. Plasencia sold 20 vials of ketamine to Perry and his assistant, a significant quantity considering each vial contained 5ml of the drug.
The doctor’s plea deal carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and he is expected to enter the plea in the coming weeks. His defense team has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Matthew Perry’s death was initially ruled to be an accidental drowning in his hot tub. While Perry had been open about his battles with addiction and mental health, the discovery of additional ketamine use in the weeks leading up to his death raised questions about how much influence the drug may have had on his tragic passing. The investigation has shed light on the lengths to which Perry went to obtain additional doses of ketamine, and how medical professionals were allegedly involved in facilitating these illicit transactions.
Dr. Plasencia is among five individuals charged in connection with the case, including Dr. Mark Chavez, who has already pleaded guilty. The charges underscore the ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug distribution, particularly when it involves high-profile individuals and vulnerable patients.
The case continues to develop, with legal proceedings expected to unfold in the coming weeks.