Following Matthew Perry's demise, a medical practitioner admitted guilty to charges.
In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a Los Angeles-based medical professional, has pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry in the month leading up to his fatal overdose. The guilty plea came on July 24, 2025.
The charges against Dr. Plasencia stem from a series of ketamine injections administered to Perry between September 30 and October 12, 2023. The actor, who was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023, reportedly obtained ketamine both through legal channels and on the black market.
During the injections, Perry allegedly experienced adverse reactions, including freezing up and a spike in blood pressure. Despite these concerns, Dr. Plasencia continued to provide the anesthetic, even leaving ketamine for Perry's assistant to administer further.
Dr. Plasencia is the fourth of five individuals charged in connection to Perry’s death to plead guilty. His plea deal involves the dropping of several other charges, including additional ketamine distribution counts and falsifying records.
Through his attorney, Dr. Plasencia expressed remorse for his treatment decisions, acknowledging his failure to protect Perry, who was vulnerable due to addiction. He also plans to voluntarily relinquish his medical license.
The maximum sentence Dr. Plasencia faces is up to 40 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 3, 2025. Three other guilty parties, including another doctor, an assistant, and a friend of the actor, are still awaiting sentencing.
It's important to note that ketamine, while illegal in some contexts, has been a reliable anesthetic for decades and can be used to treat certain patients with treatment-resistant depression under specific conditions. Reports suggest that Perry underwent ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety under medical supervision.
Meanwhile, a notorious drug supplier, known as the "Ketamine Queen," has pleaded not guilty and is set to stand trial in mid-August. This individual is not believed to be connected to Perry’s ketamine case.
[1] Los Angeles Times, "Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleads guilty to supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry," July 24, 2025. [2] CNN, "Matthew Perry's death: The ongoing investigation," October 28, 2023. [3] NBC News, "Five charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death," November 1, 2023. [4] Associated Press, "Dr. Salvador Plasencia to face up to 40 years in prison," July 24, 2025. [5] BBC News, "The tragic tale of Matthew Perry's final days," October 28, 2023.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia's guilty plea for distributing ketamine during the health-and-wellness treatments of Matthew Perry has raised questions about mental-health therapies-and-treatments and their potential links to general-news stories involving crime-and-justice.
- Despite the importance of ketamine as a reliable anesthetic in science, its usage for off-label purposes such as treating depression and anxiety has led to concerns about its legality and the potential for misuse, as seen in the Matthew Perry case.
- Although ketamine is commonly used in health-and-wellness practices, the context of its distribution and administration becomes crucial in the realm of crime-and-justice, as demonstrated by the trials surrounding the individuals connected to Matthew Perry’s tragic death.
