Drug provider for Matthew Perry set to admit guilt in court
Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the iconic TV show Friends, tragically passed away on October 28, 2023, in his Los Angeles home from an overdose. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be the acute effects of ketamine[1][2][3].
A timeline of key events leading to Perry's death reveals that about a month before his passing, Dr. Salvador Plasencia began illegally supplying him with ketamine[2][3]. During this period, Plasencia provided Perry with approximately 20 vials totaling 100 mg of liquid ketamine, ketamine lozenges, and syringes[2][3]. Perry had been receiving ketamine legally under another doctor for depression but sought more than that doctor would prescribe[2][3].
Plasencia traveled to Perry's residence, personally injecting him with ketamine and leaving at least one vial with Perry's personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, who later found Perry deceased[1][2]. Text messages revealed Plasencia referred to Perry in exploitative terms, calling him a "moron" and discussing profiting from supplying ketamine[2][3].
Plasencia admitted enlisting another doctor, Mark Chavez, to assist in providing ketamine[2][3]. Perry’s personal assistant, a friend, and another doctor have pleaded guilty in exchange for cooperating with the prosecution. As of July 2025, these co-defendants have not yet been sentenced[2].
In June 2025, Dr. Salvador Plasencia filed a guilty plea agreement, admitting to four felony charges including distribution of ketamine without medical justification[1]. He expressed remorse and plans to voluntarily surrender his medical license[1]. His sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2025[1].
Jasveen Sangha, also known as the "Ketamine Queen," is the only remaining defendant who has not reached an agreement with the US Attorney's Office. The remaining charges can carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, but Dr. Plasencia is likely to receive less[2].
Matthew Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on Friends. Jennifer Aniston, one of Perry's Friends co-stars, paid a heartfelt tribute to him on his first death anniversary. The legal proceedings surrounding Perry's death continue, with Dr. Plasencia's sentencing scheduled for later this year.
[1] Associated Press. (2025, June 1). Dr. Salvador Plasencia pleads guilty in Matthew Perry's ketamine case. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dr-salvador-plasencia-pleads-guilty-in-matthew-perrys-ketamine-case/
[2] Tartaglione, Nancy. (2025, July 1). Dr. Salvador Plasencia To Plead Guilty In Matthew Perry Ketamine Case. Deadline. https://deadline.com/2025/07/dr-salvador-plasencia-to-plead-guilty-in-matthew-perry-ketamine-case-1234937597/
[3] Associated Press. (2025, June 1). Matthew Perry's death linked to illegal ketamine supplied by Dr. Salvador Plasencia. Yahoo News. https://news.yahoo.com/matthew-perrys-death-linked-illegal-ketamine-supplied-dr-salvador-plasencia-232734431.html
[4] Associated Press. (2025, August 1). Matthew Perry's assistant, friend charged in connection with his death. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/matthew-perrys-assistant-friend-charged-connection-death-79780512
[5] Associated Press. (2025, July 1). Dr. Plasencia's attorneys emphasize he was not treating Matthew Perry at the time of his death. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2025/07/01/dr-plasencia-attorneys-emphasize-he-was-not-treating-matthew-perry-time-his-death/
- The medical examiner determined that Matthew Perry overdosed on ketamine, a powerful substance that he had been illegally supplied with by Dr. Salvador Plasencia.
- A 20-vial stash of ketamine, ketamine lozenges, and syringes were among the items provided by Plasencia to Perry, who had been seeking more than his legally prescribed dosage.
- The investigation revealed that Plasencia wasn't treating Perry at the time of his death, but had enlisted another doctor, Mark Chavez, to assist in providing ketamine.
- Co-defendants involved in the case, including Perry's personal assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, have pleaded guilty in exchange for cooperating with the prosecution, awaiting their sentencing.
- Plasencia himself pleaded guilty to four felony charges and expressed remorse, planning to voluntarily surrender his medical license. His sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2025.
- Known as the "Ketamine Queen," Jasveen Sangha is the remaining defendant who has not reached an agreement with the US Attorney's Office, facing a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
- In the midst of these legal proceedings, mental health remains a concern in the entertainment industry, with tragedies like Matthew Perry's serving as reminders of the ongoing struggles with addiction, chronic diseases, and neurological disorders.
