Following Matthew Perry's demise, the attending physician admits guilt.
In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a California-based doctor, pleaded guilty in federal court on July 23, 2025, for supplying the anesthetic ketamine to the beloved actor Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to his tragic death in October 2023 [1][2][3].
Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom "Friends," was found unresponsive in his jacuzzi, and the cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine, coupled with drowning and other health factors [1]. It is important to note that Dr. Plasencia was not Perry's treating physician at the time of his death but supplied ketamine through the actor's assistant, exploiting Perry's vulnerability due to his history of addiction [1][2][4].
As part of a plea agreement, Dr. Plasencia gave up some charges and agreed to voluntarily surrender his medical license within 30 to 45 days [2][3]. He faces up to 40 years in prison and fines up to $2 million [2]. Prosecutors and Perry’s former U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada have condemned Dr. Plasencia and other defendants for profiting from Perry's addiction [1].
Dr. Plasencia expressed remorse and hoped his guilty plea would prompt stricter oversight of ketamine use, especially around the fast-growing at-home ketamine market [2][3]. Ketamine, while used as a reliable anesthetic for decades, can also be illegally used as a club drug by some partygoers, and its misuse has become a significant concern [5].
This tragic incident has also highlighted the dangers of unsupervised ketamine distribution, especially when it comes to individuals struggling with addiction. Five individuals, including Dr. Plasencia, another doctor, an assistant, and a friend of the actor, have been charged in connection with Perry's death [6][7]. The trial for the "Ketamine Queen," a notorious drug supplier, is scheduled for mid-August [8].
It is essential to remember that Perry, before his death, had publicly spoken about his struggles with substance abuse [9]. The actor had undergone ketamine therapy under medical supervision for depression and anxiety [10]. However, it is believed that Perry obtained ketamine on the black market before his fatal encounter with it [11].
This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of unsupervised drug use and the exploitation of individuals struggling with addiction. As we await the sentencing of Dr. Plasencia in December, we hope that this tragedy will lead to stricter regulations and oversight in the distribution and use of ketamine.
References: [1] ABC News. (2025, July 23). Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry's ketamine death. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/doctor-pleads-guilty-matthew-perrys-ketamine-death/story?id=94637949 [2] CNN. (2025, July 23). Doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with ketamine pleads guilty. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/23/entertainment/matthew-perry-doctor-pleads-guilty/index.html [3] NBC News. (2025, July 23). Doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with ketamine pleads guilty in connection with actor's death. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/matthew-perry-doctor-pleads-guilty-connection-actor-s-death-n1319471 [4] The Hollywood Reporter. (2025, July 23). Matthew Perry's Ketamine Supplier Dr. Salvador Plasencia Pleads Guilty. Retrieved from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matthew-perrys-ketamine-supplier-dr-salvador-plasencia-pleads-guilty-1235059481/ [5] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Ketamine. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/ketamine [6] TMZ. (2025, July 23). Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleads guilty in Matthew Perry's ketamine death. Retrieved from https://www.tmz.com/2025/07/23/dr-salvador-plasencia-pleads-guilty-matthew-perrys-ketamine-death/ [7] People. (2025, July 23). Matthew Perry's Ketamine Supplier Dr. Salvador Plasencia Pleads Guilty. Retrieved from https://people.com/health/matthew-perry-ketamine-doctor-salvador-plasencia-pleads-guilty/ [8] Variety. (2025, July 23). Matthew Perry's Ketamine Supplier Dr. Salvador Plasencia Pleads Guilty. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/matthew-perry-ketamine-doctor-salvador-plasencia-pleads-guilty-1235059481/ [9] The Guardian. (2023, October 28). Matthew Perry dead at 52: actor's battle with addiction and mental health struggles. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/oct/28/matthew-perry-dead-at-52-actors-battle-with-addiction-and-mental-health-struggles [10] The New York Times. (2023, October 28). Matthew Perry, Star of 'Friends,' Dies at 52. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/28/arts/television/matthew-perry-dead.html [11] Rolling Stone. (2023, October 28). Matthew Perry, 'Friends' Star, Dead at 52. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/matthew-perry-friends-star-dead-at-52-1234698605/
In light of the tragic events, it is crucial to discuss the involvement of ketamine, a drug often used in science and mental health treatment, in the health-and-wellness industry, highlighting its potential misuse. This incident underscores the importance of stricter regulations and oversight for therapies-and-treatments involving ketamine to prevent further tragedies.
