Doctor Who Supplied Matthew Perry Ketamine Pleads Guilty—Shocking New Details of the ‘Friends’ Star’s Final Days

Friends actor Matthew Perry’s fatal ketamine overdose is back in the spotlight after Dr. Salvador Plasencia—one of five people charged in the case—pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court on 23 July 2025. The physician admitted to four counts of illegal ketamine distribution, acknowledging he supplied the 54-year-old star with 20 vials of the drug and lozenges in the month before Perry was found unresponsive in his home spa on 28 October 2023. Key points • Plasencia faces up to 40 years in prison at his 3 December sentencing, though a lesser term is expected under the plea deal. • He is the fourth defendant to strike an agreement; Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa and drug middleman Eric Fleming previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and distribution that resulted in death, while fellow physician Mark Chavez awaits formal sentencing. • Alleged dealer Jasveen Sangha—dubbed the “Ketamine Queen”—remains the only hold-out and is scheduled for trial next month. Prosecutors say she sold Perry the lethal batch and continued trafficking despite an earlier client’s overdose. Timeline of the investigation 1. Oct 28 2023 – Perry dies at his Pacific Palisades home; autopsy cites “acute effects of ketamine,” with drowning and heart disease listed as contributing factors. 2. Aug 2024 – Federal grand jury indicts five suspects after a multi-agency probe. 3. Aug–Dec 2024 – Assistant, middleman and Dr. Chavez enter plea agreements, providing text messages that show Plasencia called Perry a “moron” he could exploit for cash. 4. Jul 23 2025 – Plasencia changes plea to guilty, admitting he charged Perry $4,500 for the vials and tried to become the actor’s “go-to” supplier. 5. Aug 2025 – Sangha’s trial is slated to open, setting the stage for additional revelations about the underground ketamine ring. Why this matters • Celebrity justice: The case tests how U.S. courts handle medical professionals who blur the line between therapy and trafficking when treating high-profile patients battling addiction. • Mental-health debate: Perry was legally receiving ketamine infusions for depression, a therapy growing in popularity; experts warn of abuse risks when safeguards are ignored. • Fan interest: Global searches for “Matthew Perry cause of death,” “doctor guilty plea,” and “Friends cast reaction” spiked after the courtroom development, indicating enduring public fascination with the beloved Chandler Bing performer. What’s next • Sentencing hearings for Plasencia, Iwamasa, Fleming and Chavez run through early winter. • Prosecutors may seek enhanced penalties if Sangha is convicted of distributing the dose that killed Perry. • Perry’s family has vowed to attend each proceeding, stating they “look forward to justice taking its course.” Although Matthew Perry’s passing shocked fans nearly two years ago, the unfolding legal saga continues to generate breaking-news momentum—ensuring the late actor’s name, legacy and ongoing fight against substance abuse remain firmly embedded in today’s entertainment headlines.